Editorial
How PACS has Reinvented Radiology
Dear readers, Probably the most significant sole factor in the transformation of the way radiology services are provided today was catalysed by the launch of PACS systems across the globe. Aside from glowing references about the technology itself, and how it has revolutionised healthcare services, what has been the practical impact of PACS on the profession of the radiologist? And how are European countr...
Association News
Workshop on the Art of Leadership, Gstaad, Switzerland, Jan. 4 - 6, 2007
MIR, the sub-committee of the European Society of Radiology (ESR) on management, are pleased to announce the success of their recently-held 13th Annual Workshop (Jan 4 – 6, 2007, Gstaad, Switzerland), on the theme of ”The Art of Leadership: Managing Priorities and Stress in Yourself and Those you Lead”. Said Prof. Georg Bongartz, outgoing Chair, “MIR workshops provide a lively forum for senior radi...
IHE
Next Connectathon: April 15 - 20, 2007 Berlin, Germany IHE is an initiative by healthcare professionals and industry to improve the way computer systems in healthcare share information. IHE promotes the coordinated use of established standards such as DICOM and HL7 to address specific clinical needs in support of optimal patient care. IHE provides a detailed implementation and testing process to...
CARS 2007 21st International Congress and Exhibition June 27 - 30, 2007 Berlin, Germany
Annual Meeting of ISCAS, EuroPACS, CAR, CMI, CAD and SPIE/CARS Author Prof. H.U. Lemke Research Professor of Radiology University of Southern California Los Angeles, USA www.cars-int.org The response to the call for papers for CARS 2007 in January 2007 was very positive. An all-time high of 573 submitted abstracts has been achieved. Fig. 1 shows the relative distribution of abstracts with...
EuroPACS
This year’s annual edition will include between 400 - 600 delegates from different countries. The conference programme will offer information on the latest and most significant developments in clinical practice, research and education within digital radiology, including: • PACS Planning and Purchasing Strategies • PACS Evaluation and Economical Aspects • PACS Beyond Radiology (Cardiology,...
Asset Tracking Technology for Hospitals
Asset tracking, a new and evolving technology, gives hospitals the ability to detect, identify, and locate assets (e.g. infusion pumps, wheelchairs) at any time, as well as record the physical locations of those assets over time. ECRI recently published an overview of asset tracking for hospitals that choose to start the selection process for this technology now. ECRI’s evaluation critically examines...
New Format for Annual Congress
Delegates at the annual Cardiovascular and Interventional Society of Europe (CIRSE) congress can expect an updated, restructured conference this edition. This year the programme has changed format, so that delegates can follow one of six main themes right through the meeting, including: • Vascular intervention • Transcatheter embolisation • Non-vascular intervention • Interventional oncolo...
EU News
Euratom Directive on MRI Safety and Protection of Workers’ Health
Author Ilze Raath Editor European Affairs [email protected] What is the Directive About? Directive 2004/40/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 lays down minimum requirements for the protection of workers from risks arising from exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) and waves. All Member States are required to incorporate this Directive into their national law by 20...
Industry News
Coverage of Corporate News and Updates
Boston Scientific Boston Scientific Acquires EndoTex Interventional Boston Scientific Corporation has acquired EndoTex Interventional Systems. The acquisition follows the FDA approval of the NexStent Carotid Stent System, which was studied in the CABERNET trial along with the Boston Scientific FilterWire EZ Embolic Protection System. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. “Combining the resourc...
Cover Story:How PACS Reinvented Radiology
Key Elements of a Successful PACS Implementation -The Experience in England
Author Dr Laurence Sutton National Clinical Lead for PACS (North East) England Consultant Radiologist Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust West Yorkshire, UK [email protected] In October 2003, the government in England established a national IT programme for the National Health Service (NHS), to establish a standardised approach to IT support in England and to develop a uni...
National PACS Programme in Estonia - Results and Successes
Authors Andrus Aavik Head of Biomedical Department Tartu University Hospital Tartu, Estonia [email protected] Tõnis Allik Head of Management Board North Estonia Medical Centre Tallinn, Estonia [email protected] Sergei Nazarenko Head of Diagnostic Division North Estonia Medical Centre Tallinn, Estonia [email protected] Andrus Paats...
Impact of PACS on Radiologist Workflow -Increased Specialisation in Radiology Due to PACS
Authors Kent Fridell Peter Aspelin Lars Lindsköld Nina Lundberg Department for Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology Karolinska Institutet Stockholm, Sweden Lars Edgren Skåne County Council Greater access to digital images, enabled by PACS, has empowered clinicians outside the radiology department to view and interpret their patients’ exams.The role of the radiologist has...
Features
Molecular Imaging and Radiology -Ensuring Our Future
Authors Prof. Gabriel Krestin Chairman Department of Radiology Erasmus MC The Netherlands Three years ago at Erasmus MC, the Board of Directors was advised to look into molecular imaging, to examine not only what projects and developments were underway, but what could be made possible by it. As leader of this inquiry, I produced an advisory paper on how and to what extent medical schools shou...
Medical Practice Driven by Fear of Legal Liability -Is Europe Catching the American Ailment?
Author Prof. Leonard Berlin Chairman Department of Radiology Rush North Shore Medical Centre Skokie, Illinois, US [email protected] An infection is spreading across Europe, exported from the shores of our transatlantic of doubt and apprehension. In the United States, litigation as a result of medical malpractice is now akin to the common cold in its ubiquity. Just like the common cold, preve...
Challenges of the New Mobile Age -How Will It Affect the Radiologist?
Authors Prof.Vlastimil Válek Dr Marek Mechl Department of Radiology University Hospital Brno Czech Republic [email protected] The reporting of a radiogram is, in fact, the task of a logical-minded and experienced detective. Similarly to Sherlock Holmes solving his cases, a radiologist works with the method of analysis, induction and deduction. He observes a summary picture of the chest (t...
Transitioning to Digital Mammography for Screening - Maximising Cost Benefits
Author Dr Matthew Wallis Director Breast Screening Service Coventry & Warwickshire Hospital UK Due to its associated high costs and comparative newness, very few breast screening units in the UK use digital systems. Here, the budget for the breast screening programme, including the actual cost of screening, is approximately £52 million per year.As one of the pioneers of digital (BSU)...
Healthcare Product Comparison Chart
Digital Mammography
ECRI is a totally independent non-profit research agency designated as a Collaborating Centre of the World Health Organization (WHO). Such organisations are appointed to contribute to WHO’s public health mission by providing specialised knowledge, expertise, and support in the health field to the WHO and its member nations. ECRI is widely recognised as one of the world’s leading independent organisatio...
My Opinion
Interview with Prof. N. Gourtsoyiannison the future of the European Society of Radiology,
As Well as the Annual CongressWhat have been the Most Recent Areas of Growth for the Society? Amongst many continuing achievements, the European Institute for Biomedical Imaging Research (EIBIR) has grown to a successful close of its first year of existence. It is gaining momentum and enjoys continuous support from our constituencies, as well as industry partners. EIBIR has launched a number of activitie...
Country Focus:Sweden
The Swedish National Healthcare System - Public vs. Private:The Debate Continues
Author Prof. Peter Aspelin Head of Department Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology Karolinska Institutet Sweden [email protected] The Swedish healthcare system is a regionally based, publicly operated national health service. It is organised on three levels: national, regional and local. The county councils, on the regional level, together with the central govern...
MR Research in Sweden - Late-enhancement Cardiac MRI Detects Past Infarctions
Author Prof. Hakan Ahlstrom Head of Department Department of Radiology Uppsala University Hospital Uppsala, Sweden [email protected] Uppsala University Hospital is a research hospital. Advanced clinical research is performed in close cooperation with Uppsala University’s Medical Faculty, which gives immediate access to the latest findings in basic research. The hospital also h...
Interventional Radiology in Sweden - Increasing Cooperation for Better Healthcare
Author Prof. Lars Lönn Associate Professor in Interventional Radiology Sahlgrenska University Hospital Gøteborg, Sweden [email protected] The three years residency in cardiology and one year residency in anaesthesiology that I completed during my medical training were essential ingredients for the clinical background of an interventional radiologist. Indeed, it highlights the fact t...
Reforming Education in Radiology - Role of the Swedish Society of Medical Radiology
Author Prof. Katrine Riklund Ahlstrom President Swedish Society of Medical Radiology Head of Department Department of Diagnostic Radiology Norrlands University hospital Umea, Sweden [email protected] The Swedish Society of Medical Radiology The Swedish Society of Medical Radiology (SFMR) was founded in 1919 by Gösta Forsell, who became the first Professor of...