Integrating your RIS radiology information system and picture archiving and communication system (PACS) can significantly improve your access to patient imaging records.
This integration allows doctors to quickly view imaging results and prior studies, leading to faster diagnoses and better-informed treatment decisions.
Here are some key benefits of connecting your RIS and PACS:
Streamlined Workflow
- Automated transfer of imaging orders from RIS to PACS means technologists can immediately access orders and acquisition information needed for exams. This eliminates manual data entry and reduces errors.
- Imaging studies are automatically sent from modalities to your PACS for storage.
- Results like impressions and measurements are directly populated from PACS to RIS reports, enhancing workflow.
Improved Access to Patient Information
- Doctors can view a patient’s complete imaging history – including prior studies and reports – directly within their RIS. This allows for comparison of studies over time.
- Critical patient data from the RIS like allergy information can be displayed with images in PACS, alerting staff to important clinical information.
- Consolidated access to RIS and PACS data in one place enhances clinical decision-making with comprehensive patient information.
Enhanced Communication and Collaboration
- RIS-PACS integration facilitates easy sharing of images and reports across the care team. Specialists can collaborate by accessing and annotating the same studies.
- Direct interface between the two systems means care teams are always working from the same up-to-date patient information.
- Tools like messaging allow clinicians to communicate within the RIS about findings, follow-up needs, and treatment plans.
Improved Patient Safety
- Patient identification errors are reduced by auto-matching demographics between connected RIS and PACS. Consistent patient data helps avoid misfiling of results or studies.
- Alerts and flags from the RIS like critical lab values, protocol deviations, and study discrepancies are visible to technologists within PACS for safety.
- Dose information and radiation exposure history can be tracked over time to monitor levels and adjust protocols as needed.
Integrating these two core systems is crucial for optimizing radiology workflow, enhancing access to complete patient imaging data, improving coordination and communication, and increasing safety.
Here is a summary of the key integration benefits:
| Benefit | Details |
| Streamlined Workflow | Auto order transfer, pre-fetching prior studies, seamless status changes between systems |
| Improved Access to Patient Information | Consolidated view of imaging history, comparisons over time, relevant clinical data from RIS displayed with images |
| Enhanced Communication and Collaboration | Easy sharing of images and reports across care teams, tools for coordinating care in RIS |
| Increased Patient Safety | Demographic auto-matching reduces errors, alerts, and protocol information shared bi-directionally |
By connecting your RIS and PACS, your health system can provide the best quality of care to patients.
This integration is a crucial step for any radiology department looking to improve efficiency, enhance clinical decision-making, and raise the standard of patient care.
