Electronic Method and System that Improves Efficiencies for Rendering Diagnosis of Radiology Procedures

摘要

An electronic method and system for improving radiologists' efficiencies when viewing radiology procedures and rendering diagnosis in a manner that emulates current methods and apparatus. The method of the present invention includes reviewing electronic radiology images and reports contained in a patient's digital master folder (an information object invented to manage the patient's radiology information), comparing images from the current procedure to specific images from prior procedures in a specified order, and dictating the procedure's diagnosis into the digital master folder. The apparatus of the present invention includes a flat panel monitor for the viewing and manipulation of digital master folders, a dictation trackball device for manual and voice enabled operation and navigation of the system, and multiple high-resolution computer monitors functioning as a “light-box” for the viewing of radiology images.

主权项

1. An electronic method of improving the efficiency of a radiologist, comprising the steps of:
a) providing a system that includes a computer and a plurality of monitors interfaced with the computer, each monitor for displaying an image; b) using at least one of the monitors to display electronic radiology images; c) using at least one of the monitors to simulate a digital graphical representation of a patient's manual master folder comprising the steps of:
(i) generating by a software application the digital graphical representation of the patient's manual master folder as an image on the monitor designed for use as a graphical user interface by the radiologist;(ii) generating data fields on the digital graphical representation including patient information, medical procedures information and radiologist information regarding radiology procedures associated with such patient stored in an information database;(iii) providing information and hyperlinks to radiology reports and images in a default electronic layout conforming to the layout of the patient's manual master folder and tailored to a user; and(iv) including hyperlinks within at least one data field to view additional information or images relating to a patient's medical records when clicked; d) using a hyperlink to open the folder displayed in step “c” to display information contained in the folder; and e) using a hyperlink that accesses the folder to display a radiology image from a radiology procedure to permit diagnosis.