Radiation Oncology Imaging Systems, EMR and HIPAA

PACS

Picture Archiving and Communication System

Depository for all images

DICOM

Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine

DICOM-RT

Digital Imaging in Communication in Medicine - Radiation Therapy

Pixel

Picture element

Smallest single component of a digital image

2D

Voxel

3D

Volume element

Value of voxel unit in CT (HU)E

EPID

Electronic Portal Imaging Device

Aligns with ASi Detectors

Amorphous Silicon Detectors

Daily imaging

QA

Pre-treatment verification of IMRT plans

Why are MV images bad?

Too high of energy where photoelectric effect does not occur

Image Manipulation Tools

Brightness

Filters

Window

Level

Spy glass

Checker board

Ruler

Grid overlay

DRR vs Port

DRR from CT data

Port is daily angle image

Radiation Oncology Chart

H&P

Consultation

Pathology

Radiology

Laboratory

RN Assessment

Dosimetry/physics

Insurance/billing

Treatment Record

Why electronic records?

Improved efficiency

Improved access

Improved privacy

Improved outcomes

Due to $$$ incentives

HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

FAX emergencies only

Confidentiality and security agreements

HHS

Health and Human Services

FDA

Food and Drug Administration

Approve medical devices/cosmetics/baby food

CDC

Center for Disease Control

Health surveillance

Disease prevention

Health statistics

Bioterrisum