Enterprise medical imaging and information management system with enhanced communications capabilities

• US 20060112069A1
• Filed: 01/19/2005
• Published: 05/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Gentles, Thomas A., Mahesh, Prakash, Morita, Mark M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,593,918 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 80/00 ICT specially adapted for facilitating communication between medical practitioners or patients, e.g. for collaborative diagnosis, therapy or health monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99942 Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation

Abstract

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide improved clinical workflow using a medical imaging and information management system and method with enhanced communication capabilities. Certain embodiments of the system include an information manager including clinical content, such as images and/or information, and a communication manager receiving an event notification from the information manager. The system may further include an interface capable of accessing the information manager. Additionally, the system may include a contact device capable of communicating via the communication manager. A modality may transmit examination data to the information manager and may receive instructions for the information manager. In an embodiment, the communications manager includes a contact information list with one or more contact devices associated with a user. The communications manager may be capable of detecting a presence of a user on a network.

Claims

1. A medical imaging and information management system with enhanced communication capabilities, said system comprising:

an information manager including clinical content; and

a communication manager receiving an event notification from said information manager,

wherein said communication manager is capable of initiating communication based on said event notification.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said clinical content comprises at least one of images and information.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising an interface capable of accessing said information manager.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a contact device capable of communicating via said communication manager.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a modality transmitting examination data to said information manager, wherein said modality is capable of receiving instructions from said information manager.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said communications manager further comprises a contact information list including one or more contact devices associated with a user.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said communications manager is capable of detecting a presence of a user.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said information manager comprises a picture archiving and communications system.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said event notification comprises at least one of an indication of examination results, an alert, a message, a report, and an image.

10. A method for improved medical workflow using an enhanced image management system, said method comprising:

scheduling an examination;

requesting a notification upon receipt of examination results; and

automatically generating said notification upon receipt of said results.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said examination comprises an examination using an image modality.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said notification comprises at least one of an alert, a message, a report, an image, and a conference.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said notification comprises contacting a user via at least one of a telephone network and an internet protocol network.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising transmitting examination results to an image manager.

15. A computer-readable storage medium including a set of instructions for a computer, the set of instructions comprising:

an image management routine receiving and storing image information; and

a communication management routine facilitating two-way communication between one or more users, wherein said communication management routine initiates actions and communication based on input from said image management routine and contact information.

16. The set of instructions of claim 15, wherein said communication management routine accesses a profile for each of said one or more users to initiate communication.

17. The set of instructions of claim 15, further comprising a scheduling routine for scheduling a conference based on input from said image management routine and said communication management routine.

18. The set of instructions of claim 15, wherein said communication management routine contacts said one or more users via at least one of a telephone network and an internet protocol network.

19. The set of instructions of claim 15, wherein said communication management routine notifies said one or more users using at least one of an alert, a message, a report, an image, and a conference.

20. The set of instructions of claim 15, wherein said communication management routine monitors a network for a presence of a user.

21. The set of instructions of claim 15, wherein said communication management routine facilitates communication based on an indication of examination results.

22. The set of instructions of claim 15, further comprising an interface routine for providing order information, follow-up instructions, and results to said image management routine.