Digital imaging & electronic health record systems: Implementation and regulatory challenges faced by healthcare providers

摘要: Electronic capture of patient records, including digital imaging, facilitates: i) collaboration and communication between providers entities involved in care, ii) compilation lifetime histories that are more accessible to treating physicians, iii) aggregation population data for evidence-based medicine creation decision support tools. The Medicare Medicaid electronic health record (EHR) Incentive Programs associated Meaningful Use (MU) requirements a driving force the evolution towards digitized recordkeeping. For foreseeable future, MU will continue exert pressure on EHR vendors, hospitals, ambulatory practices conform increasingly stringent government reporting or else face obsolescence and/or reduced fees services. This is encouraging many — radiology imaging centers may have opted out compliance past re-examine how they integrate their work flows with systems other physicians treatment facilities. paper describes technology strategies interface it clinical flows. A case study based open source software, OpenEMR, presented as an illustrative example challenges integrating across practices. demonstrates poor integration picture archiving (PACS) information (RIS) complicates adds clinician flow reduces diagnostic value data. EHR, PACS, RIS vendors need improve system interoperability image sharing capabilities product offerings. Better, complete standards needed enable this happen. DICOM, HL7, IHE, evolving address gaps continuity spectrum used care. alleviate burdens healthcare professionals staff who must use implement infrastructure while maintaining Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA). essential achieving technology's promise optimized delivery.