Installing PACS capability in a physical therapy practice can dramatically increase the proportion of imaging studies viewed by physical therapists (PTs), according to an article published online by the Journal of Digital Imaging.
"Our survey suggests that such access may improve PTs' clinical decision-making and optimize patient management strategies," wrote a research team led by Reg Wilcox of Harvard Medical School in Boston.
To evaluate the adoption of PACS in an outpatient PT practice, the study team compared the proportion of imaging studies viewed by PTs before and after PACS implementation at a 720-bed urban teaching hospital (JDI, July 12, 2006). During the three-month period before PACS usage, PTs viewed 1% (6/505) of imaging studies, citing time as the primary barrier.
Following adoption of PACS, all imaging studies were available using standard personal computers, employing a Web-enabled image viewing application as part of a broad-enterprise PACS installation (Centricity 2.0, GE Healthcare, Chalfont St. Giles, U.K.).
Post-PACS, the proportion of imaging studies viewed rose from 28% (95/344, second month) to 84% (163/192, fifth month) (p < 0.0001). The study team noted that PTs who had completed a transitional doctor of physical therapy degree (which included training in diagnostic imaging) adopted PACS more readily.
The researchers also surveyed PTs to assess their perception on the value of access to imaging studies.
"Post-PACS, PTs placed a higher value on access to imaging studies and felt that image viewing at the point of care improved their clinical decision-making," the authors wrote.
The researchers acknowledged several limitations in their study, including its use of the proportion of patients whose imaging studies were viewed by PTs at the point of care as the primary outcome measure. They also didn't assess whether the change in practice post-PACS actually changed patient management or outcomes.
In addition, the authors said they did not measure savings or productivity improvements for nonphysicians having to look for imaging studies pre-PACS, or resources that were used to support the PT practice in the radiology film library. Also, the study was performed at one academic institution, and may not be generalizable to other institutions or care settings, according to the study team.
"When implementing PACS in any facility, radiologists and hospital administration should consider the potential patient care benefits of nonphysician healthcare providers having access to PACS," the authors concluded. "Additional studies measuring the impact of PACS usage on clinical decision-making by nonphysicians, patient education and satisfaction, and how this impacts patient outcomes are needed."
By Erik L. Ridley
AuntMinnie.com staff writer
August 15, 2006
Related Reading
Share of U.S. doctors using digital records up a bit, July 24, 2006
IHE's Import Reconciliation Workflow eases portable media handling, July 17, 2006
Practices that embrace EHR security regulations inspire patient confidence, July 14, 2006
Poor workflow can hinder use of 3D software, June 30, 2006
Fast PACS implementation saves money, June 15, 2006
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