At the 94th annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) in Chicago, Royal Philips (News - Alert) Electronics announced two solutions for radiologists to save time and improve patient diagnosis.

 

Also, Philips announced its partnership with the University of Chicago Medical Center (UCMC) on a closed loop imaging research trial, helping to understand radiology workflow and integrate information systems with imaging systems to remove inefficiency within the imaging loop.

 

The imaging loop clock is started at the time physicians order an imaging exam and ends when the results of the test are informed to the doctor and to the patient.

 

Paul J. Chang, M.D., medical director, Enterprise Imaging for University of Chicago Hospitals heads UCMC and plans that the system will reduce errors and improve quality of care in patients. Philips and UCMC combine the technologies of radiology suite so they communicate across a smart, automated and open platform, to streamline imaging procedures.

 

Paul J.Chang says, “To stay relevant in healthcare, we simply can’t keep using the same workflow model. Radiologists need to provide the highest quality diagnostic results to the patient’s physician while obtaining the best images on the first scan, every time, without compromising patient care. This requires an orchestrated workflow that can only be achieved if all systems used in the imaging loop are integrated and provide an interface allowing information to flow seamlessly from one step to the next, minimizing inefficient and potentially distracting busy work for the radiologists and technicians.”

 

Steve Rusckowski, CEO, Philips Healthcare, adds “Any imaging company can provide clinicians with a scanner or technology to store and distribute images. But at Philips, we strive to offer a range of meaningful innovations that can work together to help physicians, nurses and technologists provide the best possible patient care and further improve healthcare.”

 

He continued, “Evident from our comprehensive healthcare portfolio, Philips offers customers an intelligent and integrated platform that will help hospitals solve workflow problems and improve patient care.”

 

To begin with, the two organizations identified the problems in the imaging loop, and decided on the necessary Philips technologies to help solve the inefficiencies to help radiologists and technologists.

 

The  research at UCMC replaced the paper-based CT protocol system which is the manual entry of a list of images requested, and contrast and dose requirements with an automated electronic patient protocol system which uses a Philips tablet PC for wireless access to relevant patient and scanning protocol information.

 

Protocol settings are automatically communicated to the CT scanner, simplifying CT scanning by sending all clinical information. Alerts and updates are also provided during the imaging process.

 

Also, Philips has introduced a new MRI scanner the Achieva 3.0T TX for image quality. It captures the correct information on the first scan in a shorter amount of time.

Philips’ new MultiTransmit technology provides multiple RF transmission signals that automatically adapt to patient’s unique anatomy, delivering diagnostic images for even the high field applications such as breast and liver imaging.

 

Royal Philips Electronics (News - Alert) of the Netherlands is a company in the area of Health. It focuses on healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, to integrate technologies and design.