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The initial mandate was a tall order – replace traditional x-ray film images with web-based digital images within the Orthopedic and Rheumatology departments. Nearly half of all BWH outpatient images are ordered by these two departments, adding up to roughly 4,000 x-rays, cat-scans and MRI’s per month.
“Radiographs are a central part of our business. It is absolutely critical for our surgeons to access images in the OR. We also need to archive images for patient care and follow up on campus and at several satellite offices that need to access these images,” explained Thomas Thornhill, MD, chief of Orthopedic Surgery.
The departments formed a joint working group and used an outside consultant to help identify systems issues and to prepare for the monumental change to filmless imaging.
Recently, the Orthopedic, Rheumatology and Radiology Departments gathered to celebrate their ten-month odyssey and hard-won status as the first BWH departments to successfully adopt digital imaging. “We started with the most complex imaging environment in orthopedics. We knew once we got these departments up and running, others would be easier,” said Ramin Khorasani, MD, Vice Chairman of Radiology, who called Thornhill’s involvement in the project “phenomenal.”
“I knew that adapting this technology would be a challenge,” said Thornhill. “But thanks to the strong support of our administrative and physician leadership, we have shut off routine film production for orthopedics and rheumatology, which saves the hospital nearly $80,000 a year in film costs alone,” added Khorasani.
The Enterprise Radiology Initiative plans upcoming changeovers to Neurosciences, the Center for Chest Diseases and Oncology, providing the same improved workflow and patient experience benefits that Orthopedics and Rheumatology are beginning to reap.