Connect Imaging Introduces New StudyManager Program to Improve Radiology Department Workflow.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

HONOLULU--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 27, 2004

Unique Software Performs IHE "Presentation of Grouped Procedures"

Functions for Systems that Do Not Support the PGP Standard

Connect Imaging, Inc., developer of easy-to-use, affordable picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) for small- and medium-size hospitals and imaging centers, today announced the launch of the StudyManager(TM) program, an important new interface between imaging modalities and PACS systems designed to manage the order of imaging studies.

Solving a widespread PACS-related problem, the StudyManager program enhances imaging productivity and improves workflow by allowing different parts of a study or study series to be matched with appropriate physician orders, thus performing the essential elements of the Presentation of Grouped Procedures (PGP) integration profile. (The PGP integration profile is a key component of the Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE) initiative.) StudyManager also allows image studies from modalities such as computed tomography (CT), computed radiography (CR), and magnetic resonance (MR) -- which increasingly involve numerous images -- to be easily rearranged when the imaging modality sends them to a PACS system in the wrong order.

According to Philip J. Manly, CHP, DABR, chief executive officer of Connect Imaging, the task of matching relevant images from CT, CR, and MR studies in a PACS with the specific procedures requested by physicians is difficult and time-consuming for radiology staff. "StudyManager provides an important link between imaging modalities and PACS systems, automating a process that has caused headaches for radiology staff since the inception of PACS," Manly said. "Rather than spending valuable time searching for, organizing, and matching images, radiology staff and clinicians now can focus more attention on delivering high-quality patient care. The program also provides a key solution for hospitals and imaging centers striving to comply with the IHE PGP initiative."

StudyManager, which can be used in conjunction with most PACS systems, is simple to install and use. The program is designed to be run on a workstation located near the imaging modality so that technologists can establish image order and assign a study to appropriate physician orders before the images are sent to a PACS system. StudyManager automatically performs DICOM modality worklist queries for all study orders for the patient and modality. Users can assign sections of a study to different physician orders, and if only one study order is available, it is automatically assigned to the entire study.

Connect Imaging, Inc., is a medical information management company with headquarters in Honolulu and assembly, testing, and technical support facilities in Western Pennsylvania. The company is dedicated to providing the medical community with effective tools for improving productivity when working with electronic medical images -- providing a growing number of small- to medium-size hospitals and imaging centers with full-feature PACS systems that are easy to use and affordable. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.connectimaging.com.