HealtH Matters 45
COvEr stOry
Radiologist at St James' Hospital and lead
Radiologist for the NIMIS Project, “Existing how will it aFFeCt Me?
radiology information systems are
increasingly unable to cope with the radiology StaFF them and their patients by the system
demands of modern complex diagnostic The installation of PACS/RIS will have a installation. the system will contribute to
imaging. this can affect the quality of care major impact on the way the radiology the following:
and in some cases impair patient safety, department works and on how individual • Fewer wasted appointments and
which is why the implementation of NIMIS is members carry out their role within the postponed procedures because
so important.” department. of non-availability of patient images
the first phase of hospitals for the there are a large number of benefits and reports.
installation of the system has been selected. and changes resulting from a good PaCs/ • Instant access to patient images and
Beaumont Hospital, sligo General, st RIS installation. These include: associated reports, regardless of the
luke's Hospital in Dublin, and the Mid-West • Faster delivery of medical images to the location in the hospital.
region – starting in Dooradoyle have been radiologist for reporting. • More rapid production of reports.
selected for the first phase of the NIMIS • Full availability of relevant examinations • More information as to the status of the
roll-out. The second phase hospitals are and reports, along with the current requested procedure.
Waterford regional Hospital, Our lady's images, i.e. no lost or misplaced images • Availability of images when awaiting
Hospital for sick Children in Crumlin, Our and reports. the report.
lady of lourdes Hospital in Drogheda and • No more film to produce, transport
the Mater Hospital. after a central design around the department /hospital; match general PraCtitionerS
and configuration phase, it is hoped to have with previous images; and file away for While the hospital staff and the patient
the first hospitals live by the end of 2010. later referral. will undoubtedly see major benefits and
More information about the • Requests for diagnostic tests placed improvements in the radiology service
implementation of NIMIS can be found at electronically ensuring the required clinical accruing from the installation of the
www.hse.ie/go/nimis information is available (and readable!) to NIMIS, the General Practitioner will also
both the radiographer and radiologist at see benefits with the system.
baCkground inForMation the time of the examination. these include:
about niMiS • Availability of a large range of image • More efficient service for Radiology
Medical imaging technology over the last processing tools to allow maximum patients.
ten years has moved to a point where all diagnostic information to be obtained • Ability to obtain the results of
new medical imaging systems now acquire from the image. examinations electronically, with the
their images digitally. they are designed to • A reduction in the time to generate a availability to view associated images
operate optimally in a digital PACS-available report on the requested procedure; where required.
environment. Internationally the installation • A reduction in errors caused by multiple • The ability to accept electronic orders
of PACS/RIS solutions has grown entries of patient and exam details. the from the GP IT systems.
substantially. this is because of the well required information will only need to be
proven benefits PACS/RIS solutions deliver entered into the system once, reducing PatientS
and because the technology has matured some of the administrative tasks The installation of the NIMIS will
to the point where large installations can currently undertaken by radiographers, yield significant improvements to the
take place with rapid returns on investment. thereby freeing their time to focus on service patients receive from radiology
Picture archive and Communication caring for the patient. departments. the benefits of the
Systems (PACS) store, manage and display • The system should result in a more system that specifically impact on the
a patient’s images electronically removing efficient working environment with patient include:
these risk factors. When integrated with a greater level of management • No lost films. All the patient’s prior and
Radiology Information System (RIS) and information being made available to current images will be available in the
Voice Recognition capabilities, the resulting the radiology department. radiology department, out-patient clinic,
solution provides the required functionality • The system will contribute to a better or hospital ward.
to significantly re-engineer and improve the working environment, as the lack of film • Fewer repeat exams.
radiology imaging service. processing will result in a quieter and • A faster turn-around in the
In August 2007, the HSE-initiated the chemical-free workplace. examination report.
National Integrated Medical Imaging • Rapid transfer of images between clinicians
System (NIMIS) Project. In August 2008, non-radiology CliniCianS for consultation or remote referral.
the Hse went to tender for the selection The impact of PACS/RIS goes well beyond • Greater security of patient data with
of a vendor to install the specified system the radiology department. Non-radiology controlled and audited access to
into all hospitals that currently do not have clinical staff will see major benefits for such data.
such systems.
HM Iss6.1 p1-70.indd 45 12/03/2010 15:15:57
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