Failure to address key workflow issues can make for a disastrous EMR implementation. Consider these tips for integrating EMR and radiology systems.
Anyone who's been involved in an electronic medical record (EMR)-to-radiology integration knows full well that the process doesn't begin and end with HL7 interfaces. Unresolved workflow issues can cripple an EMR implementation.
Part of the problem lies with the ambiguity of the term "EMR." A true EMR combines several key functions in the modern health care setting: computerized orders for prescriptions and tests, reporting of test results and physician notes. Sometimes problems occur when the EMR vendor's product forces an organization to make workflow choices that work for one ancillary and not the other (lab systems vs. radiology systems, for example). A good EMR vendor understands the different technical and workflow considerations of these two ancillaries.
Data integrity plays a large role in EMR-to-PACS or EMR-to-RIS [radiology information system] integration. What happens on one system must be communicated to the other systems. To achieve this communication, HL7 interfaces should be bidirectional for radiology orders, status changes, cancellations and result updates.
For the full article click here: http://imaging-radiation-oncology.advanceweb.com/Archives/Article-Archives/Great-Integrations.aspx
