Optimized CT and MR Segmenting Software Used to Accelerate Study Segmenting Process

New computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) segmenting software is being used in a study to improve workflow and enhance technologist productivity by reducing the time required to accurately split multiregion CT and MR scans (i.e., chest-abdomen-pelvis) into anatomic regions that match the original orders from the radiology information system (RIS) and reducing the time required for the newly split studies to be sent to the picture archiving communications system (PACS).

Mach 7 Technologies (M7T; Burlington, VT, USA), a global provider of flexible, PACS-neutral healthcare image management solutions, has developed a state-of-the-art modality workstation application, the Keystone Study Split Utility (SSU), for a Massachusetts General Hospital Imaging (MGH; Boston, MA, USA) study.

With the new Keystone SSU application, radiologists who specialize in one region of the body will rapidly get just the images they need to interpret while ensuring accurate billing for all orders entered into the system. The efficient and accurate splitting of studies is important as a means of speeding time to diagnosis, enhancing patient care, and improving operational and business processes.

"The Keystone Study Split Utility improves technologist workflow when splitting multiregion scans from CT or MR,” noted Mary-Theresa Shore, director of clinical operations at MGH. "Based on initial testing data from the Keystone SSU clinical pilot, we are excited about the anticipated increased technologists' efficiency that the utility will deliver from scanner to PACS.”

Designed for simplicity and continuity, the SSU receives multiregion studies and provides a straightforward work list interface from which studies can be selected for splitting by technologists. Once selected, the study loads quickly into the splitting interface at the Image level or Series level. From this intuitive user interface, technologists can easily highlight images or series and relate them to the original accession numbers (orders) derived from the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) modality worklist coming from the RIS or PACS broker. If they have not completed the exam in the RIS, the SSU automatically generates a reminder before allowing the technologist to split the study.

The SSU enables overlapping between anatomic regions and the ability to send the scout image and dosage report image or series with all of the resulting studies. Once the split definition step is completed, the technologist initiates the split/send function with a minimum of clicks. The SSU then automatically splits the original study into the defined studies for each anatomical region and associates them to the proper accession numbers. The SSU sends a Storage Commit Query to the PACS to autoverify that the studies are in the PACS before purging them from memory.

"Our ability to rapidly incorporate feedback from the Mass General Imaging clinical operations team during the development of the Keystone SSU epitomizes the way Mach 7 Technologies partners with customers to deliver new and exciting image management solutions faster and with greater end-user customer input than other software developers,” remarked Doug Schwab, VP and GM of Mach 7 Technologies. "The Keystone Study Split Utility demonstrates why Mach 7 Technologies is a rapidly-emerging provider of advanced, PACS-neutral, DICOM-based solutions.”

Related Links:
Mach 7 Technologies
Massachusetts General Hospital