Abstract: A system links a standardized coded diagnosis associated with a medication order with information in a pharmacy information system to supplement medication utilization data. A pharmacy user interface system includes a user interface processor for providing data representing at least one display image supporting user entry of a coded diagnosis identifier for association with an order identifier identifying a medication order record indicating an order for a particular medication to be administered to a particular patient during an inpatient stay in a medical facility.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging system performs automated imaging of patient anatomy. A collimator includes at least one portion of X-ray absorbent material automatically adjustable to alter the dimensions of a spatial cross section of an X-ray beam of radiation, in response to a control signal. A collimator controller generates the control signal in response to, determining one or more regions of the X-ray detector corresponding to a portion of patient anatomy to be X-rayed in response to X-ray absorbent markers indicating boundaries of the portion of patient anatomy during an initialization X-ray exposure for individual steps of the series of pre-programed steps and determining different positions of the portion of X-ray absorbent material for corresponding individual steps of a series of pre-programed steps in response to the determined regions.

Abstract: A system and method processes unpaid healthcare claims related to reimbursement of a provision of healthcare to a patient in response to a rejection, a denial, or a lack of response to a submitted claim. An activity code is selected from a predetermined activity code set including codes identifying processing to be performed concerning rejected claim data in response to a received notification of a claim denial or rejection. The selected activity code is assigned to rejected claim data associated with the received notification. A task is scheduled, including performing processing concerning the rejected claim data, to derive corrected claim data including claim data supplemental to the rejected claim data and/or amended rejected claim data, in response to the assigned selected activity code. The corrected claim data is prepared for submission to a payer organization for payment.

Abstract: A system provides an integration engine debugging and trace function that adaptively captures and displays trace information and promotes easier and more efficient troubleshooting. A system adaptively displays transaction message data for use with a data exchange system for exchanging data between different computer systems using different data formats. The system includes a repository of data comprising transaction messages communicated between different computer systems using different data formats. A data converter converts transaction message data into Hex and non-Hex representations. A display processor provides data representing a first display image including data representing a single transaction message in both Hex and non-Hex data format and enabling a user to initiate generation of a second display image for presenting the transaction message exclusively in a non-Hex representation.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for acquiring images in a biplane angiography system. The system and method allows synchronization of the image zoom format settings for the x-ray images acquired from the two planes of the biplane angiography system thus allowing the user to adjust the image zoom format setting for only one image plane.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for allowing the user to change the patient table position or x-ray detector position during an angiographic roadmapping procedure while still displaying a properly registered roadmap display by adapting the mask image to the new position. A system and method are further disclosed for allowing the user to change the field of view size (i.e., zoom factor) of the x-ray detector during an angiographic roadmapping procedure by matching the size of the existing mask to the live image.

Abstract: A system determines available system resources along with the complexity of video clips in order to initiate and adapt automatic video clip playback. A method automatically concurrently plays multiple video clips in at least one composite video image by automatically determining available processing resources based on a number of available processors and associated corresponding individual processor operational speed. The method involves automatically determining a number of video clips that may be concurrently played and displayed in a composite video image by the determined available processing resources based on a number of the multiple video clips and associated corresponding individual video clip compression type. The method also includes initiating concurrent play and display of the determined number of video clips in the composite video image.

Abstract: A system maintains statistics on DICOM interfaces that include for each interfaced Application Entity, the number, timing and types of DICOM failures, number and timing of broken network connections, number and types of transactions and time required to perform each transaction, in the determination of a level of communication performance within individual interface applications. A system monitors performance of a communication interface supporting communication of patient medical data. The system includes an acquisition unit for acquiring performance related data concerning operation of a particular interface supporting communication of patient medical data. A data processor processes the acquired interface performance related data to provide a statistical measure including an interface performance parameter value and compares the performance parameter value with a predetermined threshold value to determine if interface performance is below a predetermined level.

Abstract: A dictionary system provides a term repository supporting the operation of an enterprise, which dynamically updates its content in response to system use. An input processor acquires transaction message data in at least one of a plurality of different data formats. A data processor parses the acquired transaction message data to extract a term from the message data. The processor then compares the extracted term to terms in a first term repository. The first term repository is updated to include the extracted term if the extracted term is absent from said first term repository. A communication processor intermittently processes the content of said first term repository to be suitable for communication to a second term repository.

Abstract: A User Interface system provides a physician with a user-friendly overview of operational and resource information of a Radiology Information System (RIS) and uses rules and hospital knowledge to find and filter RIS information to provide information facilitating making a particular decision. A radiology resource monitoring system comprises at least one repository including, data identifying scheduled procedures, data identifying room and equipment availability and data identifying clinician availability. A patient tracking unit monitors patient status including progress of patient procedures and patient arrival. An information management processor updates a task schedule of a worker in response to a change in patient status indicated by the tracking unit and in response to data derived from the at least one repository.

Abstract: An imaging system has an inventive light source coupled to its X-ray detector to project a visible light beam onto the patient so that the patient may be aligned with an area of exposure (e.g., the area which X-Rays from the emitter will contact). In some cases, the light beam is a rectangular beam which substantially indicates the area of exposure. The imaging system also has a motion detector to detect movement of the object, the X-Ray emitter, and the X-Ray detector. With the motion detector, the imaging system is automated to automatically turn the light source on whenever the patient or the imaging system (e.g., the table) moves. Similarly, the imaging system is automated to turn off the light source when X-Raying begins.

Abstract: A system facilitates the secure access, transfer and update of patient record information and the creation and navigation of image menus supporting the location and access of desired patient record data by a user. A system provides a user interface for use by a portable processing device for accessing and navigating patient record information. The system receives user identification information for use in authorizing user operation of the portable processing device and initiates display of an image including a plurality of links to a corresponding plurality of individual patients. The system also initiates display of a patient record content index image including a plurality of links to a corresponding plurality of items of patient record information in response to user selection of a link to one of the plurality of individual patients.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for automatically setting an X-Ray strength based at least in part on the volume of an object. Lasers are used to measure distances to the object. Using the measured distances, a volume of the object to be X-Rayed is estimated. Using the estimated volume, an appropriate X-Ray strength is determined and an X-Ray machine is adjusted to provide X-Rays of that strength.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for optimizing the amount of radiation exposure to a patient. The system and method comprise inputting a set of parameters based on characteristics of the patient, positioning components of a medical imaging equipment, comparing the input parameters and position of the components to computed optimum parameters and positions, and providing an indication of an amount of radiation dosage to be dispensed based on at least one of the input parameters and the position of the components.

Abstract: A system and method in which image processing parameters that are used globally or which change locally within the image are adapted to improve image quality by using the acquisition parameters, image analysis data, and calibration/model data. Image processing parameters are established as a function of the acquisition parameters. The acquisition parameters include one or more of an x-ray tube voltage, a pre-filtration, a focal spot size, an x-ray source to detector distance (SID), and a detector readout mode. Image processing parameters may also be established as a function of local or global image analysis, such as signal-to-noise ratio, as well as a function of predicted signal-to-noise ratio determined from the calibration data and a predetermined model.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging system that constantly evaluates and determines optimal image acquisition parameters, such as frame rate and pulse length, based on the application and motion detection during an x-ray acquisition scene, and applies optimal image acquisition parameters accordingly. The x-ray imaging method includes accessing previous image data and accessing present image data. Motion between the present image data and at least a portion of the previous image data is detected and the one or more image acquisition parameters are determined as a function of the detected motion.

Abstract: A system and method is provided directed to improved real-time image guidance by uniquely combining the capabilities of two well-known imaging modalities, anatomical 3D data from computer tomography (CT) and real time data from live fluoroscopy images provided by an angiography/fluoroscopy system to ensure a more efficient and safer intervention in treating punctures, drainages and biopsies in the abdominal and thoracic areas of the human body.

Abstract: An improved system and method for using dual energy techniques for acquiring x-ray images in two and three dimensions is disclosed. An X-ray source and detector are mounted at opposite ends of a movable C-arm. A fast movement mechanism is provided to quickly and precisely move the C-arm and detector in stepped motion about a patient. Low and high energy X-ray images are taken at each discrete step point, followed by fast movement of the source and detector to a next position with respect to the patient. Motion artifacts are eliminated by taking the high and low energy X-ray images while the C-arm is stopped. High and low energy pulses are provided through the use of a filtration arrangement which is synchronized with the frame rate of the detector to thereby optimize image collection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for visualizing an interventional device in a body using a magnetic resonance (MR) imager. In operation an MR pulse sequence is applied to the body so as to develop MR signals, which are processed so as to acquire one or more images. An operator of the imager uses a hands-free device to control parameters of the applied pulse sequence so as to cause the images to show an intensity distortion artifact in the area of the interventional device that is increased as compared to intensity distortion artifact in conventional MR images; and, after an image distortion which is expected to be produced by the interventional device is seen, the operator changes the applied pulse sequence parameters, in a “hands-free” manner, so that said one or more acquired images show an intensity distortion artifact in the area of the interventional device that is reduced as compared to said increased intensity distortion.

Abstract: A system for scheduling a set of tasks to be performed by at least one individual to support healthcare delivery employs a method for providing a user interface for processing an event. The event represents a change in circumstances potentially affecting healthcare delivered to a patient. The method involves initiating generation of at least one display image in response to user command. The display image or images support the identification of an event and an associated parameter as well as the designation of a predetermined process associated with the identified event. The display image or images also support user indication of the parameter to be provided to the predetermined process in response to occurrence of the event. The predetermined process comprises a set of tasks to be performed by at least one individual to support healthcare delivery. The display image or images also support designating an executable procedure to be initiated in response to occurrence of the identified event.