Advanced Imaging Final part 1

What is a network?

A network is two or more devices connected to share data, resources, and information.

What does LAN stand for and what is it?

LAN stands for Local Area Network, which is a computer network limited to a small area, such as a hospital or department and is generally faster and less expensive.

What does WAN stand for and what is it?

WAN stands for Wide Area Network, which connects larger geographic areas like cities or states and allows communication between facilities.

What is a peer-to-peer network?

A peer-to-peer network has no central control, with all devices sharing resources equally.

What characterizes a server-based network?

In a server-based network, a central server controls the system, stores data, and manages requests.

What is a client-based network?

In a client-based network, a client requests data from a server, which sends the data back, and the client processes updates.

What does DICOM stand for?

DICOM stands for Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine.

What is the purpose of DICOM?

DICOM is a universal/standard process for transmitting, storing, retrieving, and displaying medical images.

What is the DICOM header?

The DICOM header contains unique information about each image, such as patient name, ID, exam type, and date, which helps in organizing and identifying images.

What is HL-7?

HL-7 stands for Health Level 7, and is a standard used for exchanging electronic text information between systems like HIS and RIS.

What is the function of a RIS?

A RIS, or Radiology Information System, manages radiology workflow, including scheduling, reports, and accession numbers.

What does HIS stand for?

HIS stands for Hospital Information System.

What does EMR stand for?

EMR stands for Electronic Medical Record.

How is an EHR different from an EMR?

EHR stands for Electronic Health Record and is a shared patient record across multiple facilities, while EMR is used within one facility.

What does PACS stand for?

PACS stands for Picture Archiving and Communication System.

What is the function of PACS?

PACS receives, stores, retrieves, and distributes medical images.

What is an accession number?

An accession number is assigned by the RIS to identify a specific exam and is used to track exams and link images to the correct patient.

What does MIMPS stand for?

MIMPS stands for Medical Image Management and Processing System.

What system is used to acquire, store, retrieve, and display medical images?

PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) is used for these purposes.

What are the four fundamental aspects of PACS?

The four fundamental aspects of PACS are image acquisition, display, network, and storage.

Describe client/server-based architecture in PACS.

In client/server-based architecture, images are stored on a central server, and workstations (clients) request images.

What characterizes distributed systems in PACS?

In distributed systems, images are stored locally at workstations first and then sent to an archive.

What is a web-based system in PACS?

A web-based system stores images centrally and allows access through an internet/web interface.

What is a primary reading workstation?

A primary reading workstation is used by radiologists and has the highest image quality for diagnostic purposes.

What is the purpose of a physician review workstation?

A physician review workstation is used by referring physicians but has lower image quality compared to primary reading workstations.

What does a QC workstation do?

A QC workstation is used by technologists to check image quality.

What is an image management workstation used for?

An image management workstation is used for organizing, routing, and managing images.

Define hanging protocols.

Hanging protocols describe how images are automatically arranged on the monitor for viewing.

What is stitching in medical imaging?

Stitching is the process of combining multiple images into one long image, such as for a full spine or leg.

Define archive in the context of PACS.

An archive is a digital storage system that manages medical images, controlling their receipt, storage, and distribution.

What is the purpose of an image manager?

An image manager acts like a library catalog for images, storing header information and managing organization and retrieval.

Describe short-term storage in PACS.

Short-term storage allows fast access to images within 3–5 seconds using RAID technology.

What is midterm storage in PACS?

Midterm storage uses tape or robotic systems with moderate retrieval time for image access.

Define long-term storage in PACS.

Long-term storage provides slower retrieval (1–5 minutes) for archiving images.

What does RAID stand for?

RAID stands for Redundant Array of Independent Disks.

What is a Storage Area Network (SAN)?

A SAN is a high-speed network that connects multiple storage devices and servers for efficient data storage and retrieval.

What is an Application Service Provider (ASP)?

An ASP provides PACS services remotely, allowing smaller facilities to use advanced PACS systems.

What is the function of a digitizer?

Digitizers convert analog images (like film x-rays) into digital images.

What is CAD in medical imaging?

CAD stands for Computer-Aided Diagnosis, which helps detect abnormalities in images.

How does artificial intelligence assist in medical imaging?

Artificial intelligence analyzes images and assists radiologists by identifying patterns and abnormalities.

What is prefetching in PACS?

Prefetching is when PACS automatically retrieves prior images before a patient’s exam.

What does a PACS manager do?

A PACS manager is a master database of archived images that controls their receipt, retrieval, and distribution.

What is informatics in healthcare?

Informatics is the study and use of data systems to improve patient care, involving the use of healthcare information.

Describe the data hierarchy in informatics.

The data hierarchy consists of Data (raw facts), Information (organized data), Knowledge (understanding information), and Wisdom (applying knowledge to clinical decisions).

What are TG18 and SMPTE test patterns used for?

TG18 and SMPTE test patterns are used for monitor quality control to evaluate brightness, contrast, and resolution.

What does luminance refer to?

Luminance refers to the brightness of a display monitor.

What is the significance of luminance uniformity?

Luminance uniformity means that the image is the same brightness across the entire screen.

What is geometric distortion?

Geometric distortion refers to inaccuracies in the lines or borders in an image as measured during quality testing.

What is ghosting in digital radiography?

Ghosting occurs when an image is visible in another image, which can be minimized by increasing the time between captures.

What is considered an acceptable repeat rate in radiology?

The repeat rate should be less than 5%, with a target of 3-5% being realistic.

How often should CR plates be erased?

CR plates should be erased if not used for 48 hours before reusing.

What are common causes of artifacts in CR images?

Common causes of artifacts in CR images include dirty rollers in the reader, burnt-out light bulbs, or issues with the imaging plate's phosphor.

What is nighthawking in radiology?

Nighthawking refers to radiologists reading medical images off-site during the night, utilizing time differences around the world.

What is the purpose of quality assurance (QA)?

Quality assurance focuses on people and processes to ensure high-quality outcomes.

What is quality control (QC)?

Quality control focuses on equipment performance and reliability.

What does CQI stand for?

CQI stands for Continuous Quality Improvement.

What is the importance of workstation processing speed?

Workstation processing speed refers to the time taken for a workstation to open images retrieved from PACS.

What is image transfer speed?

Image transfer speed is the time it takes to retrieve studies/images from PACS.

What does data integrity measure?

Data integrity measures whether all images taken and sent from modalities are received and accounted for in PACS.

What is compression recall?

Compression recall determines if any information is lost during the image compression process.

How does lossless compression differ from lossy compression?

Lossless compression results in minimal loss of detail acceptable for medical use, while lossy compression leads to irreversible detail loss, not suitable for medical applications.

What are digital modalities used for image acquisition in medical imaging systems?

X-ray, CT, etc.

Which standard is used to send medical images through the network?

DICOM standard

What does PACS stand for in medical imaging?

Picture Archiving and Communication System.

What role does the image manager play in medical imaging systems?

Organizes and indexes images using header information.

How are images retrieved in a medical imaging system?

Through workstations when requested.

What does a radiologist do with the images they view?

Interprets the images and generates a report.

How does data move between systems in healthcare?

Through networks (LAN/WAN).

What does DICOM stand for?

Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine.

What is the role of HL-7 in healthcare communication?

Used for exchanging text data (orders, reports) between systems.

Why are communication standards important in healthcare?

They ensure interoperability between different devices and systems.

What is the primary function of a server in a medical imaging system?

Stores images in the PACS archive.

What is a client in the context of a medical imaging system?

A workstation that requests and displays images.

How do users access images in a client/server system?

By selecting studies from a worklist, retrieving images from the archive.

What is short-term storage in medical imaging?

RAID providing fast access (3–5 seconds).

What is the purpose of mid-term storage in medical imaging?

Robotic/tape retrieval.

What characterizes long-term storage in medical imaging systems?

Slower retrieval (1–5 minutes).

What does RAID stand for in storage technology?

Redundant Array of Independent Disks.

What is the advantage of RAID 0?

Striping for fast access but no protection.

What is the main feature of RAID 1?

Mirroring providing full redundancy.

What does RAID 5 do in storage systems?

Distributed parity, most common in PACS.

Why is fast access to images important in healthcare?

Quick diagnosis, efficient workflow, and emergency situations.

How are images viewed in a medical imaging system?

On display workstations.

Why is the monitor considered the weakest link in digital imaging?

It can impact image quality and interpretation.

What is luminance in the context of medical imaging?

Brightness emitted from the monitor.

Define illuminance as it relates to medical imaging monitors.

Light striking the monitor (ambient light).

What does uniformity refer to in display technology?

Consistency of brightness across the screen.

What is the primary display workspace for a radiologist?

The primary workstation with the highest quality monitor.

What is the purpose of Q.C. workstation in medical imaging?

For technologists to check images.

What is the function of the window/level tool?

Adjusts brightness and contrast of images.

What does the zoom/pan feature allow in image viewing?

Focus on a specific area of the image.

What are annotations used for in medical imaging?

To add labels or notes to images.

Why is image compression used in medical imaging?

To reduce file size and speed up transmission.

What is lossless compression?

Compression that does not lose any image quality.

What is lossy compression?

Compression that loses some detail, typically used outside the hospital.

What does EMR stand for in healthcare systems?

Electronic Medical Record.

What does RIS manage in radiology departments?

Radiology workflow, including scheduling and reports.

What is the function of a HIS in healthcare?

Stores entire hospital information like billing, orders, and records.

What is the role of the PACS system in healthcare?

Stores, retrieves, and displays medical images.

How do healthcare systems share data and communicate?

Using DICOM for images and HL-7 for text data.