Radiologists, Vendors, Look beyond PACS and RIS

There is an ongoing debate whether picture archiving and communication system (PACS) and radiology information system (RIS) usage qualifies under the "meaningful use"' criteria decreed by the Health Information Technology and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) in the United States. This controversy, however, points at a much broader issue: the future of PACS and RIS, according to a recent market report.

Over the past 10 years, radiology departments have become increasingly standalone; so much so that a radiology department can now be operated by one company while its encompassing hospital is run by another, according to two reports from InMedica (Wellingborough, UK), a medical device market research company. Meaningful use suggests a need for change to bring radiology back into the hospitals with a centrally coordinated and multicentric healthcare information technology (IT) system; one that focuses on both end-user and patient, while providing easier access to PACS images within electronic medical records (EMRs).

This is not just an issue in the United States. In Europe, cross-border healthcare provision with interoperable healthcare IT is central to the European Union (EU) health strategy. In January 2011, the European Commission passed the directive on cross-border healthcare provision, allowing European citizens to receive care in any of the 27 member countries. eHealth, EMRs, and interoperability are central to this aim; the ability of hospitals to access electronic patient data anywhere in the European Union will be irrespective of healthcare systems, PACS or EMR vendor, and data will be accessed via a central platform.

Demand for these systems is clearly growing: In December 2010, the United States and European Union agreed to promote a common approach to interoperable eHealth; the Eleventh Annual European Interoperability Testing Event (IHE Connectathon) is being held in April 2011; and epSOS, the pilot program setting the framework of European interoperability is due to be completed in July 2011.

According to two InMedica reports, eHealth projects, starting at a national level, are forecast from 2011. These will lead to greater focus by PACS vendors on the hospital and not just radiology. Some vendors are already expanding their portfolio to include health information exchange (HIE) systems. Others will need to ensure PACS product development is focused towards vendor-neutral interoperability.

Related Links:
InMedica