Typical Process Flow

Patient Registration

The process of collecting and inputting patient demographic and insurance information into the HIS/RIS.

New Order

A specific procedure requested by the physician for the patient.

Verify Order

The process where radiology confirms the patient's demographics before proceeding.

Modality Worklist

An automation tool that transfers information from HIS/RIS/EMR to various modalities.

Patient Verification

The technologist confirms the patient's identity before beginning the procedure.

Quality Control/Assurance (QA/QC)

The processes performed to ensure the exam is completed correctly and safely.

Storage Commitment

Ensures that images are safely archived to allow for eventual deletion from local systems.

Immediate Reporting

When a radiologist reviews and signs off on a report immediately after dictation.

Batch Reporting

The process where a radiologist dictates multiple exams at once and corrects them as a group.

Remote System Access

Allows the radiologist to access images and reports securely from outside the hospital.

Prelim Report

A preliminary diagnosis report that assists in generating the final report.

Accession Number

An identifying number assigned to an exam for retrieval from the PACS database.

DICOM Compliance

The requirement that images be formatted correctly for successful importing into PACS.

Data Integrity Problem

Issues that arise when adding new images to PACS, potentially causing conflicts with existing data.

Misidentification

Incorrectly identifying a patient, which can threaten the safety of medical records.

Film Scanner

A device used to scan prior film files for digital records.

Remote Reporting

Generating reports away from the main radiology department.

Router Connection

The method through which images are sent to the radiologist, potentially using a router.

Trauma Report

A report generated under special conditions requiring immediate radiology procedures.

Importing CDs

A simpler process compared to film scanning, as patient information is already included on CDs.