CHICAGO - The University of California Los Angeles is in the process of building a new acute-care hospital, due to open in 2005, with the intent to operate on a fully digital basis. According to a presentation at this week’s RSNA meeting, the plan for this hospital is based on a goal of facility-wide, more efficient access to all information sources.
Specifically, the plan calls for an enterprise-wide data repository, thin-client technology, and widespread use generic information-appliances and wireless devices allowing access to information from anywhere in the hospital.
The concept requires significant changes from traditional information technology architecture, in particular, workflow management of large quantities of imaging data. The planners elected to adopt a data repository where images would reside in local PACS storage for a limited time and then migrate to a generic data archive that can be decentralized or eventually outsourced to data-warehousing companies.
The developers are also planning another technical innovation -- the adoption of display devices across the enterprise. These devices will allow users to review patient records and other types of medical and technical information from a variety of sources, using a display method similar to today's Web-based technology. The emerging technology, referred to as "information appliances," consists of wireless devices that can be portable or wall-mounted, and will allow navigation though different data.
The new infrastructure design was chosen on the basis of emerging technology in networking, flat-panel displays, and data warehousing. In addition, planners focused on a three-part set of priorities: extending RIS functionality, facilitating image distribution, and expanding physicians’ teleradiology capabilities.
A particular concern is development of architecture to seamlessly manage forthcoming changes in radiology practice. These include using electronic wireless communication, special workstations and projection devices for clinical conferences, and access to images from remote locations with teleconsultation capabilities.
The UCLA group believes the proposed architecture reflects recent changes in information technology and the emergence of new capabilities in data management. According to presenter Dr. Osman Ratib, “these innovations in hardware and software will provide more efficient and cost-effective implementation of a fully digital acute-care hospital.”
By Jonathan S. Batchelor
AuntMinnie.com staff writer
November 30, 2000
Specifically, the plan calls for an enterprise-wide data repository, thin-client technology, and widespread use generic information-appliances and wireless devices allowing access to information from anywhere in the hospital.
The concept requires significant changes from traditional information technology architecture, in particular, workflow management of large quantities of imaging data. The planners elected to adopt a data repository where images would reside in local PACS storage for a limited time and then migrate to a generic data archive that can be decentralized or eventually outsourced to data-warehousing companies.
The developers are also planning another technical innovation -- the adoption of display devices across the enterprise. These devices will allow users to review patient records and other types of medical and technical information from a variety of sources, using a display method similar to today's Web-based technology. The emerging technology, referred to as "information appliances," consists of wireless devices that can be portable or wall-mounted, and will allow navigation though different data.
The new infrastructure design was chosen on the basis of emerging technology in networking, flat-panel displays, and data warehousing. In addition, planners focused on a three-part set of priorities: extending RIS functionality, facilitating image distribution, and expanding physicians’ teleradiology capabilities.
A particular concern is development of architecture to seamlessly manage forthcoming changes in radiology practice. These include using electronic wireless communication, special workstations and projection devices for clinical conferences, and access to images from remote locations with teleconsultation capabilities.
The UCLA group believes the proposed architecture reflects recent changes in information technology and the emergence of new capabilities in data management. According to presenter Dr. Osman Ratib, “these innovations in hardware and software will provide more efficient and cost-effective implementation of a fully digital acute-care hospital.”
By Jonathan S. Batchelor
AuntMinnie.com staff writer
November 30, 2000
Copyright © 2000 AuntMinnie.com
Click here to view the rest of AuntMinnie’s coverage of the 2000 RSNA conference.
Click here to post your comments about this story.
