System Developed to Expedite Communication Between Radiology and Emergency Departments

A new system automates and expedites communication between a hospital's radiology and emergency departments (ED) regarding preliminary findings.

The Impax ConnectED solution, based on the Impax Veriphy CTRM (critical test result management) system, and developed by Agfa HealthCare (Mortsel, Belgium) a leading provider of information technology- (IT)-enabled clinical workflow and diagnostic imaging solutions, provides multiple mechanisms to notify the ED physician of a critical result or to notify multiple individuals in the ED as desired. It also provides department-level visibility of messaging activity, with the complete communication trail automatically stored in a searchable archive for over 10 years. Similar to Impax Veriphy CTRM, the Impax ConnectED facilitates and automates compliance with legal and professional standards for clinical communications.

"When the radiology department reviews an emergent case first, the conventional Veriphy CTRM workflow can be used,” said Lenny J. Reznik, director of Enterprise Imaging and Information, Agfa HealthCare United States. "When emergency physicians review the patient first, they can create a preliminary read which is automatically routed to the radiologist assigned coverage. The radiologist can agree or disagree and a response is sent immediately to the ED.”

ImpaxConnectED is the only system of its kind to offer tight integration with a picture archiving and communications system (PACS) system. This means that radiologists and ED physicians can create customized work lists within the Impax solution, streamlining their review of emergent exams. Consolidated views of all ED activities are available within the radiology or the emergency department and performance reports are available for management. Both the ED clinician and the radiologist can send messages via Impax ConnectED.

The system is being offered as a stand-alone package for Impax or as an enhancement to Impax Veriphy, Agfa HealthCare's CTRM system. Impax ConnectED is an exclusive Agfa HealthCare offering, developed through close collaboration between Agfa HealthCare and Nuance Communications.

The Vocada Veriphy critical test result-management system is the only enterprise system for communicating critical test results from hospital diagnostic departments to ordering clinicians. Using a patented, hosted system, Veriphy automates and verifies communication of critical test results in a real time, assured, and trackable system, simultaneously enhancing patient safety and boosting clinical staff productivity. It is a division of Nuance Communications, Inc.'s (Burlington, MA, USA) Dictaphone Healthcare Solutions.


Related Links:
Agfa HealthCare
Nuance Communications