Augusta University Health
Case Study
Implementing a standardized workflow across the enterprise
The imaging systems and visualization tools at Augusta University Health are central to their work. To make confident diagnoses and work efficiently radiologists need access to up-to-date patient information and advanced visualization and analysis software. They needed a standardized workflow that supports fast, reliable access to their systems and software and keeps everyone on the same page. The goal at AU Health was to implement a single solution that would allow them to manage all of the advanced visualization needs on one platform with seamless integration to the PACS, radiology information systems, and electronic health records. Philips IntelliSpace Portal helped them realize that goal.
Approach Collaborating closely with experts from Philips, radiologists and IT professionals at AU Health co-designed an entirely new workflow. At the heart of this is IntelliSpace Portal and IntelliSpace Portal Concerto, a platform that brings people and locations together and lets multiple users work as one across the network. It can connect multiple sites to support enhanced productivity, helps reduce the complexity of resource planning, and helps organizations prepare for future growth. Philips and AU Health invested a great deal of time in training users to make sure users were already familiar with the new workflow even before it went live. With a very hands-on approach and extensive preparation, the team replaced hardware, imaging software, clinical applications and workflow tools on a single day with no impact for referring physicians or disruptions to patient care.
By collaborating with Philips, we’re bringing all the stakeholders together at the table to better assess and plan healthcare for tomorrow. When we better plan the services we provide and the technologies and systems we will use, we’ll be able to work smarter, faster, and more efficiently, and our patients will reap the benefits."
Dr. James Rawson
Chief of Radiology, Augusta University Medical Center
Results Radiologists at Augusta University Health are now able to access the complete set of advanced visualization tools without moving away from their reading workstation across the enterprise, which supports a more standardized and efficient workflow. As a result, the hospital has reduced reading and interpretation time for certain procedures, such as MR cardiac examinations. It has also added patient volume without having to purchase additional imaging equipment, supporting radiology as an integral part of the continuum of care. For Dr Rawson and his colleagues, the new centralized workflow has delivered operational efficiency gains as well as clinical improvements. According to him “A major benefit of IntelliSpace Portal Concerto is that it decreases complexity through its single standardized workflow. This was a huge step forward for us. It makes us more efficient, but it also lowers the barriers to using advanced visualization tools – which translates into clinical advantage.”
Our radiologists can now sit down at virtually any machine in the hospital or even at home. We have achieved significant improvements in our workflow. The average turnaround time has decreased by 22% and procedural volumes for CT, MR, and AMI studies have increased by 17%. The installation of IntelliSpace Portal Concerto has contributed to a large extent to these improvements.1”
Dr. James Rawson
Chief of Radiology, Augusta University Medical Center
Read the full case study for more on how this has benefited AU Health
Discover how IntelliSpace Portal Concerto can help drive standardization across your enterprise.
1. Results are specific to the institution where they were obtained and may not reflect the results achievable at other institutions
