Veterinary radiology reports are the primary means, and sometimes the only method of communication between the radiologist and the referring physician. A good report is not only accurate, but is also clear, concise, and descriptive. An effective radiology report should serve to generate a mental picture of any concerns identified by the veterinary radiologist in the patient’s scan.
The majority of veterinarians are migrating their analog imaging to digital technology. Whether transitioning from Computed Radiography (CR) by replacing film with a digital imaging plate or starting fresh with Digital Radiography (DR), much of their attention has been placed on acquiring the right capture hardware. Often the Picture Archive and Communication System or PACS is neglected or is prescribed by the hardware vendor. The wary veterinarian considering investing in a digital technology will face a myriad of Veterinary PACS medical image management options, vendor pitches, and a virtual Tower of Babel of technology. The task of navigating through these options can be daunting for the typical veterinarian. This article is intended to make your selection process simpler by identifying the most important considerations in selection of your PACS.
The HITECH Act, as a part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA), clearly was the accelerant for the adoption of electronic health records systems (EHR). In the United States, through a series of financial incentives, providers were encouraged to install these electronic systems to record their patient information. It is little surprise that without specific financial incentive to do so, the original design of most EHR systems did not include medical imaging.
Neurologists know that the hour immediately following the onset of stroke symptoms – often called the golden hour – is critical to successful treatment. Stroke patients have a much greater chance of surviving and avoiding long-term brain damage if they receive treatment within an hour.
