An innovative strategy for standardized, structured, and interoperable results in ophthalmic examinations

Background Although ophthalmic devices have made remarkable progress and are widely used, most lack standardization of both image review and results reporting systems, making interoperability unachievable. We developed and validated new software for extracting, transforming, and storing information from report images produced by ophthalmic examination devices to generate standardized, structured, and interoperable information to assist ophthalmologists in eye clinics. Results We selected report images derived from optical coherence tomography (OCT). The new software consists of three parts: (1) The Area Explorer, which determines whether the designated area in the configuration file contains numeric values or tomographic images; (2) The Value Reader, which converts images to text according to ophthalmic measurements; and (3) The Finding Classifier, which classifies pathologic findings from tomographic images included in the report. After assessment of Value Reader accuracy by human experts, all report images were converted and stored in a database. We applied the Value Reader, which achieved 99.67% accuracy, to a total of 433,175 OCT report images acquired in a single tertiary hospital from 07/04/2006 to 08/31/2019. The Finding Classifier provided pathologic findings (e.g., macular edema and subretinal fluid) and disease activity. Patient longitudinal data could be easily reviewed to document changes in measurements over time. The final results were loaded into a common data model (CDM), and the cropped tomographic images were loaded into the Picture Archive Communication System. Conclusions The newly developed software extracts valuable information from OCT images and may be extended to other types of report image files produced by medical devices. Furthermore, powerful databases such as the CDM may be implemented or augmented by adding the information captured through our program.

Improving Productivity of Radiology Department

Over the years, impact of digitalization has been implemented in every aspect of human life, including the healthcare and hospital environment. Vendors and manufacturer are making the competition to implement to be the highest, the fastest, and the best solutions to the market and become the world leader that can attract the hospital and healthcare facility to use their system and their products. However all of the digital equipment are not standardize, the integration of system, data management and archive are the main problems in Radiology department eventhough using standard medical image (DICOM) protocol. We propose digital solutions in Radiology department that implemented using known as RIS or Radiology Information System and PACS or Picture Archive Communication System that using open source software and easily adaptable technology with no boundaries of applications and vendor neutral. Our paper shows that through digital solutions provided by radiology department will improve the productivity of doctor, radiographer and administration people. Digitalization products with RIS and PACS also answer the needs of speed and manageable image storage in the hospital.

Referring physician perceptions of picture archive and communication systems

The picture archive and communication system (PACS) is a digital radiographic system that is steadily replacing the older film-based radiographic records. Despite the various benefits associated with PACS implementation, it is not yet clear what referring physicians think of such systems. This article reviews their thoughts and perceptions, which were obtained via surveys that were completed by referring physicians with practices at private hospitals in Port Elizabeth. A critical analysis of the data collected indicated that most referring physicians perceive PACS to be beneficial.