ROCHESTER, N.Y., June 8 — High patient volumes require high-end technology. With five locations that see 400 patients a day, Park Nicollet Jane Brattain Breast Center (St. Louis Park, Minn.) converted to an efficient, all-digital workflow after implementing a CARESTREAM PACS and six multi-modality breast imaging workstations from Carestream Health.
With these new systems, radiologist productivity has been significantly improved, and the center is now able to offer same day reporting for all diagnostic and screening exams. In the past, reports on screening exams from remote clinics often took several days.
The main diagnostic center performs 240 exams a day with five FFDM systems, three ultrasound, two stereotactic biopsy systems and a breast-specific gamma imaging system. All exams conducted at the main center—along with screening exams from remote clinics and breast MRI exams conducted at Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital—are read by radiologists at the center.
“Creating a smooth mammography workflow is complicated because of the diverse modalities now used for breast imaging. The CARESTREAM PACS offers an exceptional workflow through its smooth integration with existing RIS, VR and CAD systems and its superior toolset for mammography reading,” said Kathy Wilson, Supervisor of the Breast Center.
The PACS is integrated with the center’s RIS, PowerScribe® and CADstream® for MRI systems. “Radiologists log in once and have instant electronic access to patient history as well as prior imaging exams and reports. They can elect to use structured reporting from the RIS or dictate their findings,” she explains.
Workstation Delivers Rich Toolset for Mammography Exams
Radiologists praise the mammography tools delivered by the PACS and the multi-modality workstations, according to Wilson. “These workstations allow our radiologists to read exams from all modalities and vendors at a single workstation, which is a huge advantage. Prior exams are delivered with the current exam and hanging protocols are personalized for each radiologist to ensure maximum productivity. In addition the workstation’s innovative hand-held controller reduces hand movements and delivers better ergonomics.”
She adds that the PACS workstation also “right-sizes” studies so they display correctly whether they are coming from GE or Hologic FFDM systems to add further convenience.
Prior exams are now digitized to eliminate couriering film exams from remote clinics. Paper has been completely eliminated from the reading process.
Carestream Health’s PACS and multi-modality breast imaging workstations deliver specialized mammography reading tools—including chest wall justification, tissue invert, quad zoom and others—for use with images from FFDM, CR mammography, breast MR, breast ultrasound, digitized films and general radiography modalities. CARESTREAM PACS integrates smoothly with existing MIS, RIS and speech recognition systems as well as digital CAD systems.
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About Park Nicollet Jane Brattain Breast Center
Park Nicollet Jane Brattain Breast Center is designed by women for women, with experienced professionals dedicated to breast health. It offers the latest technology with computer-aided detection, breast MRI and Minnesota’s first full-field digital mammography. Park Nicollet Jane Brattain Breast Center has two convenient locations including the main diagnostic center at St. Louis Park, Minn. Screening mammograms also are available at three remote Park Nicollet Clinics. For more information please visit: http://www.parknicollet.com/BreastCenter/locations.cfm.
About Carestream Health
Carestream Health is a worldwide provider of dental and medical imaging systems and healthcare IT solutions; molecular imaging systems for the life science research and drug discovery/development market segments; and x-ray film and digital x-ray products for the non-destructive testing market. For more information about the company’s broad portfolio of products, solutions and services, please contact your Carestream Health representative or visit www.carestreamhealth.com.
CARESTREAM is a trademark of Carestream Health, Inc.
2010