CLEVELAND - The 19th Symposium for Computer Applications in Radiology gets underway at the Cleveland Convention Center this week, featuring enhanced educational offerings and the return of SCAR University. Attendees will also be treated to multiple special sessions and a full slate of scientific papers.
Along with its traditional PACS-oriented educational material, SCAR is extending its reach into other areas of healthcare, said Dr. Bruce Reiner, co-chair of SCAR University.
"SCAR is starting to branch out beyond the PACS domain," Reiner said. "We're starting to look at all different types of computer applications, not just within imaging, but also within medicine as a whole."
To that end, SCAR has added special sessions on topics such as computer-aided detection (CAD), architectural design considerations in the filmless department, measuring the effects of PACS implementation, and image-perception issues in a soft-copy reading environment, Reiner said. Talks on structured reporting, decision support, workflow optimization, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) also speak to healthcare as a whole.
"Everybody who interacts with an imaging department will have a lot to be gained from the SCAR program," Reiner said.
Although the meeting formally begins on Thursday, May 2, SCAR activities kick off Wednesday evening in a special preconference public forum called "The virtual physical: A discussion of the technology and role of whole-body imaging in health screening." Presented by radiology experts from the Cleveland Clinic, the forum will take place from 6-8 p.m. at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel (Ballroom A).
Thursday will also bring a live version of the society's Expert Hotline, during which SCAR experts will tackle audience questions. On Friday, Donna Dean, Ph.D., acting director of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), will give an update on the institute's developments during a special SCAR U session.
On Saturday, the 2nd SCAR Research and Development Committee Symposium will present results from the first phase of its survey on the impact of digital imaging on technologist productivity. The survey, performed in 2001 in conjunction with market research and consulting firm IMV Medical Information Division of Des Plaines, IL, includes data from 112 responding institutions.
SCAR U returns again this year; changes include a second quality-control section to cover operational workstation issues. Attendees interested in practical information will be able to take in a new SCAR U: How to (A practical user's guide) section. Talks in this track include: capturing medical images for PowerPoint slides, high-speed connectivity options for the Internet, and a user guide to personal digital assistants (PDAs).
SCAR U's government initiatives track will include talks on the role of advanced technology in healthcare, medical imaging approval processes at the Food and Drug Administration, and Dean's update on the NIBIB. Last year's teleradiology and economics track has been discontinued, with talks covering these topics sprinkled into other SCAR U tracks, Reiner said.
Among the meeting’s non-SCAR U additions, conference organizers are launching HealthSphere Summit, a forum dedicated to "embracing the healthcare enterprise." Panelists will discuss revolution and electronic evolution of our healthcare delivery system between 1:30-3:30 p.m. Saturday in the vendor presentation theater of exhibit hall A, according to SCAR.
Visitors interested in the Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE) initiative can take in "IHE: What is it? How do I get it?" at 9:30-10:00 a.m. on Friday, also in the vendor presentation theater of exhibit hall A.
Guided exhibit-hall tours will focus on digital image and information management topics. The tours, which will be held Friday and Saturday at noon, will cover:
- Referring physician delivery solutions
- Diagnostic reporting/clinical/integrated workflow workstations
- Electronic archives and storage solutions
- RIS/HIS/HIT integration (IHE)
- Acquisition & DICOM verification (CR, DR, film digitizers)
Representatives from exhibiting companies will also give didactic presentations on image management topics from 7-8 a.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Of course, attendees at this year’s meeting will once again be able to tour a live digital image management network. Three separate tours of the Cleveland Clinic Hospital and Outpatient Center will be offered.
By Erik L. Ridley
AuntMinnie.com staff writer
April 30, 2002
Copyright © 2002 AuntMinnie.com
