PACS Workflow On-Demand

The self-paced course aims to provide learners with an understanding of the workflow in Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) and how it impacts radiology. The course covers various topics such as differentiating between workflow scenarios in radiology, cardiology, and radiation therapy, identifying potential bottlenecks in imaging workflow, and using workflow tools to create diagrams and charts. 

Learning Objectives 

By the end of this course, students will be able to: 

• Create a diagram illustrating the workflow of a typical patient admission to the emergency room, including all relevant steps and potential exceptions or variances. 
• Compare and contrast the workflow differences between cardiology and radiology and identify specific areas where workflow changes may be necessary. 
• Develop policies and procedures for different types of teaching files, clinical trials, post-acquisition processing, and media import/export, taking into consideration the challenges and requirements of each workflow. 
• Utilize common workflow tools to perform a workflow analysis, select the appropriate tools for specific applications, and determine the critical path analysis for a given workflow. 

Format/Class Structure 

This course is self-paced, accessible completely online. You can expect to spend about 1 hour completing this course. 

Who Should Take This Course 

• Radiology professionals 
• Cardiology professionals 
• Radiation therapy professionals 
• Healthcare administrators and managers 
• IT professionals 
• Healthcare consultants 
• Students and researchers 

Content Outline

Module 1: Introduction to PACS Workflow 

• Importance of workflow assessment in PACS implementations 
• Differentiating workflow scenarios in radiology, cardiology, and radiation therapy 
• Understanding the major benefits and differences in workflow in various specialties and organizational structures 

Module 2: Workflow Analysis in Radiology 

• Identifying potential bottlenecks and issues in imaging workflow 
• Reading and interpreting workflow diagrams 
• Performing a simple departmental workflow analysis 

Module 3: Workflow Analysis in Cardiology and Radiation Therapy 

• Assessing the workflow differences between cardiology and radiology 
• Understanding the workflow in radiation therapy and its differences from radiology 

Module 4: Workflow in Teaching Files, Clinical Trials, and Media Import/Export 

• Developing policies for different types of teaching files 
• Designing the workflow for clinical trials and de-identification of information 
• Interpreting and designing the workflow for post-acquisition processing 
• Addressing challenges with importing and exporting hardcopy and softcopy media 

Module 5: Workflow Tools 

• Using common workflow tools for analysis 
• Selecting the appropriate workflow tools for different applications 
• Performing critical path analysis for a workflow 

Module 6: Conclusion and Application 

• Applying the knowledge and skills gained throughout the course to optimize PACS workflow in real-world scenarios 
• Reviewing key concepts and techniques for workflow analysis and optimization 
• Identifying opportunities for continuous improvement in PACS workflow 

CE Credit

The Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine has approved this activity for 1.0 hour of SIIM IIP Credits towards certification and re-certification by the American Board of Imaging Informatics (ABII).

To receive credit for the activity, registrants must complete the course modules and survey.

Note: In order to receive credits for any events/learning you attend you must select your eligible credit types found in the CE & Certification section of your MySIIM Account profile.

After registering for the course, navigate to My Learning in your MySIIM Account profile to access the content.

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