EHealth Insider (EHI) has launched a new channel focused on digital imaging systems at EHI Live 2012. The new channel, EHI Imaging Informatics, will strengthen EHI's existing coverage of this emerging discipline, which requires close collaboration between knowledgeable clinicians, specialist informaticians and industry experts.
Linda Davidson, a co-founder and director of Ehealth Media, said, "We have a long record of covering imaging informatics and supporting those working in this area. With imaging informatics now encompassing a wide range of disciplines beyond traditional radiology, and with images and reports forming a key part of the complete electronic patient record for many patients, we felt it was an appropriate time to create a dedicated space where our audience can meet to discuss issues and explore best practice.
"In addition, many of the national contracts for PACS and RIS systems let under the National Programme for IT will be coming to an end within the next three years. UK health organisations need a trusted source of information about imaging informatics as they go out to market and tackle the issues involved in switching suppliers safely and with minimum disruption."
As well as covering issues related to procuring, implementing and decommissioning PACS and RIS, EHI Imaging Informatics will identify and highlight good practice in integrating images and reports into the converged electronic patient record. It will also explore the factors involved in achieving interoperability between different kinds of imaging and the practical challenges of managing imaging informatics solutions. These include strategies for storing terabytes of data, culling data and providing mobile access to images for clinicians on a wide array of devices.
Davidson added, "Crucially, we will look at how clinicians with a special interest in imaging informatics can work with other members of the informatics team. A blended approach using different skills to solve problems and improve services is the way forward."
The new channel complements other initiatives by EHI aimed at supporting the imaging informatics community. These include inviting the UK Imaging Informatics Group to hold its autumn 2012 meeting alongside EHI Live, the two-day conference and exhibition organised by the team behind EHI, which has become recognised as the key event in the eHealth calendar. The one-day meeting included a debate on NHS Healthcare Standards for imaging, as well as sessions on night-time teleradiology, building enterprise vendor neutral archives and procuring PACS and RIS replacements.
About eHealth Insider
Ehealth Insider is the leading daily health IT news service in the UK, providing lively and independent news, analysis and insight into developments in healthcare IT and information use.
About the UK Imaging Informatics Group
The UK Imaging Informatics Group, originally established under the auspices of the Royal College of Radiologists, is open to all healthcare imaging professionals interested in PACS, teleradiology and other related IT and imaging developments. The group monitors developments in the field and shares this information with members through group meetings and a website user forum. It also hosts a forum for members to discuss issues with each other and provides a range of reference resources. The group's facilities are provided free of charge to group members thanks to the support of a number of sponsors. The group's autumn meeting is being held on Tuesday 6 November alongside EHI Live in Piazza Suite 1 at the NEC Birmingham.
EHI Live 2012
Now in its fifth year, EHI Live is a two-day conference and exhibition which has become recognised as the key event in the eHealth calendar. Organised by the team behind industry news service eHealth Insider, EHI Live brings together suppliers, healthcare IT professionals and clinicians to discuss and debate the issues facing those involved in healthcare IT who want to use IT to improve the efficiency and quality of health services. EHI Live attracts delegates, visitors and exhibitors from across the UK and internationally.
EHI Live 2012 took place at the NEC, Birmingham on 6 - 7 November 2012. The main conference programme in 2012 included a number of strands that reflect the diversity of interests in healthcare IT, with the keynote speech from health minister Dr Dan Poulter.