A new approach to RIS/DR interconnection.

The article focuses on a new, standards-based approach for linking modalities to a radiology information system (RIS) in the radiology department. Computers have been used in radiology for quite some time-for the complex processing of algorithms used by CT and MR, for example. The advent of computed radiography (CR) and direct radiography (DR) has helped bring x-ray film into the world of computers. DR uses a technology similar to that in digital cameras to convert the intensity and location of the diagnostic image into digital form. Many radiology departments now store images on disks and read from computer monitors in a reading room. With its high-volume radiology department, the Cleveland Clinic Foundation (CCF) has been a long-time user of one particular RIS system. As the department moved to DR implementation, it required a means to automatically include patient demographic information with the image at the time of study acquisition, so this information would be associated with the image throughout its history. Using an approach developed by several companies in connection with CCF, technologists now use only two interfaces on one computer screen. Further, a technologist can close the study from the DR unit, allowing more time for patient care. The collaborative effort between CCF and the companies involved has resulted in an exciting standards-based approach to linking its RIS and DR systems.