From the October 2014 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine

Tools for conveying the results of the interpretative process must also evolve so that the information can be consumed by a variety of down-stream systems. Reporting strategies that are structured, actionable, and ultimately integrated into the EMR will be important for driving the subsequent steps in the care process such as alerts and patient scheduling. Integration with the EMR is critical for realizing the value of these data and promoting the necessary collaboration, consultation, and follow-up with referring physicians. It is also essential for communicating with patients, who are increasingly putting a premium on having the ability to easily access their personal medical information, including imaging results, as well as general information about their diagnostic and treatment options

The ACR is engaged in several efforts to help facilitate the flow of information and encourage the evolution of the Imaging 3.0 ecosystem. One such effort, ACRCommon, is a framework of common clinical radiology terms that will improve communication by eliminating the inconsistent language that is currently used at most institutions. In addition to allowing vendors to consume guidelines and recommendations within their applications in context, this standard lexicon will make it easier to track metrics and compare exam results across and among institutions. Another program aimed at improving communication, ACRConnect, will allow vendors to integrate their products — including EHRs, imaging modalities, and PACS — directly with key ACR programs and content repositories (e.g. national registries). This interface will allow radiologists to exchange images and data seamlessly with the ACR for accreditation, research, and other programs that require data aggregation or feedback.


On The Horizon
As with most industries these days, healthcare and radiology must find ways to connect the right people to the right information at the right time. Data must be structured so that both activities and outcomes are measurable. Stakeholders demand it and process improvement depends on it. At the same time, interpersonal communication is at an all-time premium. As we transition to value-based models, demonstrating value in discernible and measurable ways will be critical.

As always, change brings about both challenge and opportunity. As we transition to Imaging 3.0, we are challenged with advancing some of the strategies and tools that have made imaging a successful and critical component of healthcare. At the same time, this presents an exciting opportunity to take technology to the next level to develop tools that will help radiologists, institutions, and patients thrive in the emerging healthcare system. These tools will do more than provide efficiencies and enhance throughput; they will raise the standard of quality, as is necessary to flourish under the value-based model. The ACR is at the forefront of developing and facilitating the solutions that will carry radiologists over the threshold and into the Imaging 3.0 future. Vendors and institutions that integrate the solutions will have an advantage, but ultimately the ones who will benefit most will be those at the center of it all — the patients.

About the author: Mike Tilkin is the chief information officer and executive Vice President for Technology at the American College of Radiology. He has been engaged in leadership roles across the evolving Health IT landscape in areas that range from policy to implementation.

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