Structured Reporting Software & Ultrasound Reading Tools
Imorgon provides software that significantly improves the productivity and quality of radiology reports. You will create better reports in less time.
The page shows ultrasound automation tools, but applies to other exams, such as DXA, CT for Coronary Calcium scoring, and data sources.
Motivation – Why Dedicated Ultrasound Reporting Software
The demand for diagnostic imaging exams is increasing at a 5% annual rate [MarketsandMarkets], yet the number of radiologists and technologists fails to keep pace. Compounding the problem is the regular decrease in reimbursement, with another 3% in 2024 [AuntMinnie].
The impact is longer hours, increased stress, and burnout. Studies highlight the effect on patient care:
- Non-clinical errors made by voice recognition shows 4.23% of studies having ‘significant’ or ‘very-significant’ errors. This is 100 studies for every ultrasound system in a department.1 [Link]
- Diagnostic errors impact up to 5% of reports and contribute to 10% of deaths.2 [Link]
- 40% of referrers complain that diagnostic reports are confusing and do not address their clinical questions.3 [Link]
The benefits of reporting automation enable radiologists to concentrate on answering clinical questions rather than grinding the mechanics of creating reports.
Ultrasound Structured Reporting Software and DICOM SR
Increasing structured data through DICOM SR and Worksheets are two ways to improve the productivity and quality of your reports [Structured Reporting: Unique way to improve quality & productivity].
DICOM SR
Automatically transferring measurements taken by sonographers or technologists and automatically inserting or ‘merging’ them into your Radiology reporting software, such as Nuance Powerscribe immediately improves data accuracy. This software also ensures consistency in units (mm vs. cm), digits of precision (x.xx vs. x.x), and even max/min/average values.
Quantifying time reduction is difficult due to interruptions in radiologists’ workflow. However, most Radiologists agree that ultrasound data transfer saves one minute per exam. Dr Steve Horii performed an analysis and found an impressive 40% reduction in measurement-intensive exams [SIIM Presentation].
The ability to automatically transfer measurements has existed for nearly a decade. Imorgon is differentiated by handling more data sources than competitors and guaranteeing the transfer of all measurements due to a smart engine that improves the DICOM SR data structure parsing.
Ultrasound Worksheets
Most Radiology departments generate reports by reading ultrasound worksheets from PACS or cryptic notes. Even when transferring measurement data, 50% of the findings, or fields, in a report need to be populated [Imorgon Research].
Web forms are an intuitive reporting technology replacing traditional worksheets.
- Serve as checklists and training tools.
- Improve operations by guaranteeing a comprehensive study and complete ultrasound documentation regardless of staff experience or the use of travelers.
- Provide more thorough documentation with fewer clicks today.
Imorgon ultrasound reporting system web forms also include:
- Configurable and conditional text generation.
- Automatic prefetch of prior reports and measurements.
- Integrated clinical decision-support systems.
The importance of these features for achieving productivity and quality benefits is discussed in detail [3 things to make your Life Better].
Imorgon’s Report Accelerator improves the manual reporting process by providing a simple reporting solution for measurement transfer AND customized web-based ultrasound reporting templates. When implemented, a radiologist pulls up a draft report ready for review.
Imorgon Ultrasound Reading and PACS
Muli-modality viewing stations continue to provide an inflexible and suboptimal ultrasound review experience. Imorgon View is a dedicated ultrasound imaging software that displays ultrasound images and clips in acquisition order, with clips automatically playing. Many physicians discuss capturing and reading clips to convey ultrasound information accurately [Dr. Roy Filly Dr. Ann Podrasky]. Imorgon continues to innovate with a new release that provides hanging protocols to filter and review exams by protocol step. Lastly, for those who teach ultrasound, Imorgon has unparalleled teaching files that enable saving, anonymizing, and exporting unique studies.
Of course, Imorgon seamlessly integrates with your existing PACS workstations, including automatically launching Imorgon upon selecting an ultrasound exam from a worklist.
Sonographer QC Workstation
Large ultrasound departments need the ability to quickly ‘fix’ studies with fewer steps and time than IT support tickets. Sonographers love the Sonographer QC Workstation, which enables them to correct exam details such as patient and study information, split or merge studies, delete images, add or edit annotations, or make measurements. A QC workstation is key to efficient workflow in a large department.
Imorgon Streamlined Reporting Automation Software
Imorgon offers the most robust functionality customized to your unique needs with reliable 24×7 support. It is the premier reporting automation tool. It will be the highest ROI software investment you can make this year.
We can improve the productivity and quality of your reports at your institution. I will guarantee success.
Andy Milkowski
What Ultrasound Reporting Software do most Radiology departments use?
Over 80% [Link] of all Radiologists and hospitals in the United States use Nuance PowerScribe for all diagnostic imaging reporting.
However, many sites use dedicated reporting software to improve the productivity and quality of Powerscribe reports. Examples include Hyland Modlink, Laurel Bridge Compass, and Imorgon’s Report Accelerator.
Imorgon is the leading provider of dedicated ultrasound reporting software in hospitals. Its solution transfers ultrasound measurements and sonographer worksheet values into Powerscribe templates.
Can Ultrasound Reporting Software transfer DEXA measurements to Powerscribe?
Most ultrasound reporting software can transfer DEXA results into ‘merge’ fields in Powerscribe. More sophisticated software, such as Imorgon, can also parse and send prior measurements to Powerscribe, making it a more complete solution.
Why can’t ultrasound or DEXA systems send measurements directly to Powerscribe?
Nuance Powerscribe does not have a native DICOM SR parser and cannot read DICOM SR files. For Powerscribe to populate measurement data, it must receive it in a specific format through either an HL7 message or a message to its proprietary Web API.
References
- Motyer RE, Liddy S, Torreggiani WC, Buckley O. Frequency and analysis of non-clinical errors made in radiology reports using the National Integrated Medical Imaging System voice recognition dictation software. Irish Journal of Medical Science. 2016. doi: 10.1007/s11845-016-1507-6. ↩︎
- Balogh EP, Miller BT, Ball JR, editors. Board on Health Care Services, Institute of Medicine. Improving diagnosis in healthcare. Washington, DC: The National Academy of Sciences, The National Academies Press, 2015. https://doi.org/10.17226/21794 ↩︎
- Clinger NJ, Hunter TB, Hillman BJ. Radiology reporting: Attitudes of referring physicians. Radiology. 1988;169:825–826. https://doi.org/10.1148/radiology.169.3.3187005 ↩︎