Informatics

Question 1

What is an interconnected system?

Answer 1

Various components linked together in relation to the picture archiving process

Question 2

What does RIS stand for and what does it do?

Answer 2

Radiology Information Systems
A networked software system
Manages the examination:
Scheduling, appointment, result notification

Question 3

Describe DICOM

Answer 3

1. Supports operation in network environment
2. Applicable for offline media
3. Specifies how systems react to commands and data
4. Specifies level of conformance
5. Structured as multi-part document

Question 3

What does DICOM stand for and what does it do?

Answer 3

Digital Imaging and Communications In Medicine
International standard that describes proper formatting and exchange of images

Question 4

What does HL7 stand for and what is it?

Answer 4

Health Level 7
International organisation that sets standards for exchanging and integrating medical information

Question 5

What does PACS stand for and what is it?

Answer 5

Picture Archiving and Communication Systems
Main way to store and view medical images

Question 6

Describe Acquisitions in relation to PACS

Answer 6

Acquires image data
Converts data to PACS format
Performs processing such as resizing

Question 6

What do we use PACS for?

Answer 6

Querying and retrieving
Image storage and display
Transmitting images

Question 6

What are some advantages of PACS

Answer 6

All images available online
Old comparisons
Images from all modalities
Reduces storage space
Prevent lost/stolen film
Reduce report turn around time

Question 7

Describe Transmitting in relation to DICOM and PACS

Answer 7

DICOM images are transmitted from all modalities to PACS
Images are transmitted from local PACS to national PACS

Question 8

Describe Query and Retrieve functions in relation to PACS

Answer 8

The query function can be used to search and find an image from multiple fields
Pre-fetching = Images are retrieved from a national server onto a local server

Question 9

Describe Storage and Archiving in relation to PACS

Answer 9

PACS needs 2 levels
Short term (local server)
Long term (national server)

Question 10

Describe Local Storage in relation to PACS

Answer 10

Composed of linked local storage subsystems or file servers
Each unit has its own short term storage unit

Question 11

Describe a PACS workstation

Answer 11

High spec workstations
Configured to improve efficiency
Speech recognition

Question 12

Describe ARIA

Answer 12

Stores patient info, appointments, scans, plans, clinical notes
Used to collect info for government

Question 13

Describe the downtime procedures

Answer 13

Disaster recovery or care continuity
Can occur after unplanned or planned events
Could interrupt patient care

Question 14

Describe some ethical or legal issues

Answer 14

Must respect confidentiality
Must remove anything that could identify patients from assessment
Must follow local guidelines

Question 15

Describe Information Managers

Answer 15

Manages technology required for imaging
They make sure things run smoothly, design systems, improve workflow
If this fails, patient safety could be at risk, efficient practice could be affected