The Hospital of the University of PennsylvaniaHCIC Project Example:
Picture Archive and Retrieval Systems (PACS)

Review of the Medical Informatics Group

The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Department of Radiology – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 

Situation:

The Department of Radiology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania was an early adopter of information technology. They participated in the Radiology Information Systems Consortium in the early 1980’s that developed one of the first Radiology Information Systems (DECrad, later IDXrad). As such, they had their own information systems support group called the Medical Informatics Group that support they system. In the 1990’s, HUP implemented a GE PACS. In 2003, Siemens Magic PACS was selected to be a replacement PACS for HUP and two other locations. The implementation at the affiliate hospitals was supported by the MIG. When the implementation began at HUP, it was quickly realized that the Siemens system would not provide the required functionality currently being met by GE so the implementation was halted. Numerous operational problems with the PACS were happening on a daily basis, impacting the Department’s mission. Meanwhile, the MIG was attempting to implement Version 10 of IDXrad, a project which had been started in 1997. The MIG was perceived by the Radiology Department as being unresponsive to their needs. The MIG claimed they were overworked and understaffed. The Department’s administration wanted an external independent review to determine what could be done.

Solution:

  • Interviewed key stakeholders within the department, toured the facilities, and documented our findings.
  • Analyzed all work efforts and responsibilities of the MIG section.
  • Evaluated the interaction and effort utilized with the affiliated organizations.
  • Analyzed the support needed for the RIS, PACS, VR, and the Department’s business units compared with what was actually being provided.
  • Evaluated the skill sets and work effort of each MIG member.
  • Determined that critical functions within PACS administration were not being performed.
  • Recommended that the MIG add additional staff to support PACS administration.
  • Recommended that the department implement an IT Steering Committee.
  • Recommended some changes in workflow in the reading areas to improve the radiologists’ interaction with the PACS.