FROM THE JGID CREW |
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Year : 2015 | Volume
: 2
| Issue : 1 | Page : 31-35 |
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Effect of DICOM workflow on electronic data management in ophthalmology
Mehul A Shah, Shreya M Shah, Bankim P Gandhi
Vitreo Retina Services, Drashti Netralaya, Dahod, Gujarat, India
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Mehul A Shah Drashti Netralaya, Nr. GIDC, Chakalia Road, Dahod - 389 151, Gujarat India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/2349-0977.168244
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Purpose: To determine the impact of digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) workflow on the linkage of demographic information to ophthalmic data. Design: Evaluation of technology. Materials and Methods: At 3 months before and 12 months after implementation of a DICOM workflow, technicians recorded the work required to enter, confirm, or edit patient demographics in each visual field, optical coherence tomography, and fundus imaging devices. We also determined the proportion of imaging tests sent to an error queue for manual reconciliation because of incorrect demographic information before and 28 months after the DICOM workflow was established. Results: Staff entered, edited, or merged data for 19% of patients before implementation (n = 497). This decreased to 2.2% within 12 of implementing the DICOM archive (n = 2414). Staff could locate a patient in a DICOM work list for 99% at 12 months. Before implementation, 18.59% of the images required additional intervention to be associated with the correct patient (n = 497). This decreased by 2.2% over 12 months (n = 2414; P < 0.05). There was a reduction in the percentage of misfiled images between pre- and postimplementation 12 from 2.2% to 0.95% (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Implementation of a DICOM-compatible workflow in an ophthalmology clinic reduced the need to enter or edit patient demographic information into imaging or testing devices and reduced the need to manage misfiled images. In a clinical environment that demands both efficiency and patient safety, the DICOM workflow is an important update to current practice. |
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