At RSNA, DR Systems to Debut eMix for Sharing Radiology Images and Reports
Cloud Computing Technology is Standards-Based, Secure, Vendor-Neutral
SAN DIEGO – DR Systems, one of the most respected names in healthcare information systems, announced that eMix -- its cloud-based technology for sharing imaging studies and reports -- will be unveiled at RSNA 2009. eMix, which stands for Electronic Medical Information Exchange, enables secure sharing of images and reports between disparate institutions and physicians via the Internet. It also can help facilitate associating patient images to electronic medical records (EMRs) and patients’ personal healthcare records (PHRs).This interoperable, vendor-neutral technology eliminates the need for the provider facility to burn CDs, print films, or fax reports. It should also help facilitate the trend toward universal access to medical imaging, for a complete EMR.
“eMix is an innovative medical IT solution that solves several problems faced by imaging centers and hospitals,” said DR Systems chairman of the board and radiologist Murray Reicher, M.D. “With eMix, institutions can avoid the cost and hassle of making CDs for patients and importing CDs from other facilities that don’t have the same PACS. They can digitally supply both images and reports to patients and doctors with a few simple mouse clicks, and even use the system to create a new, cost-free revenue stream.”
eMix has numerous security features. It puts the patient at the center of the authorization process, and creates an audit trail. Security is further enhanced by the fact that no patient data resides on the eMix Web servers. Together, these features enable institutions to comply with requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
One of eMix’s greatest benefits is its ability to allow healthcare facilities to both reduce operating costs and generate revenue. With eMix, institutions avoid labor, material, and service costs by eliminating the following expenses: handling imaging data requests, burning CDs, printing film, faxing reports, mailing imaging information, and managing chain-of-custody.
Those same institutions can use eMix to generate revenue -- for example, by charging $5 per eMix access. Because all data is electronic and transferred automatically, there is zero supply cost.
Using eMix is as simple as using email. The sender 1) selects an exam from the worklist, 2) uploads the exam components to the eMix Web server, and 3) selects one or more recipients. The receiver 1) receives a notification email from eMix, 2) logs in or signs in as a new user, and 3) downloads the exam. The exam can then be sent to a PACS (picture archiving and communications system), viewed with the eMix viewer, or burned to a CD.
eMix builds on innovations in cloud computing. The result is a simple, universal exchange of imaging data in real time. The system is easy to deploy, because there is no hardware or software to purchase.
“Before eMix, the hodgepodge of proprietary systems by different vendors made exchange of medical imaging information difficult, costly and sometimes impossible,” said Dr. Reicher. “This situation made it nerve-wracking to share radiology data in emergency situations and also slowed down the inclusion of imaging data in EMRs. eMix has solved these problems in the simplest way possible.”
Live demonstrations of the eMix beta release can be seen in the DR Systems booth at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), Nov. 29 – Dec. 4 at McCormick Place in Chicago. The DR Systems booth is #6229, in the South Building, Hall A.
About DR Systems, Inc.
DR Systems, Inc. is the leading independent provider of enterprise imaging and information management systems for hospitals, integrated healthcare networks and diagnostic imaging centers. For more than 16 years, the company has helped over 600 hospitals and imaging center sites lower their cost of operation by improving management of patient information, eliminating film costs, and increasing workflow speed, while providing better clinical quality and patient care.
For more information, call 877-EMIX-MED (877-364-9633).
