SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ORDERING IMAGE STUDIES
Methods and systems for ordering image studies. One method includes receiving order information for an imaging procedure from a referring physician through a user interface remotely accessible over a network connection and automatically routing the order information to a report source. The method also includes receiving order status information from the report source and making the order status information available to the referring physician through the user interface. In addition, the method includes receiving a completed report for the imaging procedure from the report source, making the completed report available to the referring physician through the user interface, and making a set of images associated with the completed report available to the referring physician.
1 . A method of managing an image study, the method comprising:
receiving, with a server, order information for an imaging procedure from a referring physician through a user interface remotely accessible over a network connection;
automatically, with the server, routing the order information to a report source;
receiving, with the server, order status information from the report source;
making, with the server, the order status information available to the referring physician through the user interface;
receiving, with the server, a completed report for the imaging procedure from the report source;
making, with the server, the completed report available to the referring physician through the user interface; and
making, with the server, a set of images associated with the completed report available to the referring physician.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving at least a portion of the order information from an electronic medical record system associated with the referring physician.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the order information includes receiving patient information, referring physician information, insurance information, and procedure information.
4 . The method of claim 3 , further comprising automatically generating a ranking based on the procedure information and displaying the ranking within the user interface.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein displaying the ranking within the user interface includes color-coding the ranking.
6 . The method of claim 5 , further comprising automatically suggesting alternatives for the procedure information based on the ranking.
7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising displaying a plurality of locations for the imaging procedure and a map illustrating a geographical location of each of the plurality of locations.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein displaying the plurality of locations includes displaying the plurality of locations associated with a single imaging provider.
9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving an electronic signature of the order information from the referring physician and transmitting the order information to the report source only after receiving the electronic signature.
10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising displaying order information for a plurality of imaging procedures and receiving a single electronic signature for the plurality of imaging procedures.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the order status information from the report source includes receiving a change to the order information.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the order status information from the report source includes receiving a pre-authorization request for the order information.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the order status information from the report source includes receiving an urgent notification for the order information.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein automatically routing the order information to the report source includes receiving a poll from a gateway for the order information and routing the order information to the gateway, the gateway configured to transform the order information and transmit the transformed order information to the report source.
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein making the set of images associated with the completed report available to the referring physician includes automatically logging the referring physician into an image viewer for an imaging repository storing the set of images.
16 . A system for managing an image study, the system comprising:
a server configured to communicate with a report source and including a portal providing access to user interfaces accessible over at least one network connection, the server configured to receive order information for an imaging procedure from a referring physician through the portal,
automatically route the order information to the report source,
receive order status information from the report source,
make the order status information available to the referring physician through the portal,
receive a completed report for the imaging procedure from the report source,
make the completed report available to the referring physician through the user interface, and
make a set of images associated with the completed report available to the referring physician.
17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the server is further configured to
automatically generate a ranking based on the order information, the ranking indicating an appropriates of the imaging procedure,
display the ranking, and
display at least one alternative for the imaging procedure based on the ranking.
18 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the server is configured to receive the order information by displaying a plurality of locations for performing the imaging procedure and a map illustrating a geographical location of each of the plurality of locations and allowing the referring physician to select one of the plurality of locations.
19 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the server is further configured to receive an electronic signature of the order information from the referring physician and transmit the order information to the report source only after receiving the electronic signature.
20 . The system of claim 16 , further comprising a gateway configured to poll the server for the order information, receive the order information from the server in response to the poll, transform the order information, and transmit the transformed order information to the report source.