A sonographer shortage, new remote sites, and the transformative potential of AI—oh my. Add clinician burnout, the threat of cyber risks, and the proliferation of encounter-based workflows to the mix and ultrasound governance can feel complex at every turn. An experienced ultrasound IT partner can help your organization block and tackle. Your IT vendors should help you proactively maximize efficiency, optimize workflows, and maintain and manage a robust ultrasound ecosystem no matter the configuration of your enterprise. As you seek out ultrasound IT partners, consider these six essential attributes to ensure your organization remains resilient and future-ready.
1. Boosts overall standardization
One key to managing complexity is consistency. Look for partners and solutions that help you rein in variances across sites, sonographers and clinicians at the point of care, and in radiology reading workflows. With the right workflow solution, it is possible to minimize friction and automate image capture. Fleet management software can help standardize protocols and configurations.
2. Mitigates errors
Simple mistakes and omissions in ultrasound workflow can lead to unnecessary rework and impact reimbursement[1]. Where can you eliminate handwritten notes and manual keystrokes? How can you ensure reports are complete? What actions can you take to automate measurements? Look at digitizing your sonographer worksheets and auto-populating and transferring measurements.
3. Maximizes your experts
Amid a shortage of experienced sonographers, organizations must find ways to more efficiently and broadly leverage experts. Secure and accessible collaboration capabilities can put a lead sonographer in every exam.
4. Provides a project team
Every organization is unique, so there cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach to implementing and supporting ultrasound IT solutions. You should have a bench of experts driving your organization forward—from HL7 pros, to applications and network experts, to an experienced and well-staffed helpdesk.
5. Offers holistic solutions
Look for partners that think beyond the device and beyond a single department. The ultrasound ecosystems of tomorrow will be supported by wrap-around solutions that enable enterprise-wide fleet management, tele ultrasound, and scan guidance.
6. Guides your AI journey
If you are among the 75% of organizations that have not yet implemented AI, a partner that is leading the industry in research and development of AI-driven solutions can be a valuable resource. Look for vendors with a track record of integrating emerging technologies into their product portfolio.
Does your ultrasound IT strategy need a refresh? The Verisound Ultrasound Digital & AI Solutions experts at GE HealthCare are ready to connect.
REFERENCES:
1. Richard Duszak, “Physician documentation deficiencies in abdominal ultrasound reports: frequency, characteristics, and financial impact,” Journal of the American College of Radiology 9, no. 6 (2012): 403-8
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