Siemens Focuses on Role-Based, Context-Sensitive, and Knowledge-Driven Solutions at HIMSS 2009

New portal enhancements and software versions offer greater efficiency in imaging IT. 


CHICAGO, April 1  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Siemens Healthcare (http://www.siemens.com/healthcare) will highlight workflow enhancements and demonstrate role-based portals, innovative applications, and intelligent information systems for radiology and cardiology at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) 2009 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Chicago.

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070904/SIEMENSLOGO )

"It is critical to remain at the forefront of the technological revolution and manage the influx of data presented to our customers daily," said Dr. Arthur Kaindl, CEO, Image and Knowledge Management, Siemens Healthcare. "As image data volumes increase exponentially, we will continue to develop innovative solutions to manage these challenges. Our solutions are designed to streamline the workflow process, help our customers improve quality-of-care, increase efficiency, and reduce costs. A crucial solution, role-based portals, delivers pertinent information in a task-oriented interface to the various types of users, where and when they need it most."

Portals

Portal-driven workflow is setting the new standard for best-in-class workflow. With syngo portals, which are being showcased in the Siemens HIMSS booth (#2036), Siemens is focusing on providing solutions that are role-based, context-sensitive, and knowledge-driven. Role-based portals are the access point to radiological information and context-sensitive tools, allowing information to be available anywhere and anytime - all in one place.

For example, with enhancements made to syngo Portal Radiologist, this solution gives radiologists focused access to important patient information, such as new and previous imaging studies, previous reports, lab values, and allergies, as well as scanned documents all in one application window. The radiologist sees this information without having to access various separate systems at multiple locations. Task-specific tools and information are available with just one click. All this saves time and effort, improves productivity and quality, and helps reduce the risk of errors. The goal is to help the clinical staff to work more efficiently by providing a system that seamlessly provides information from HIS, EMR, LAB, RIS, PACS, and computer-aided detection (CAD).

New Software Versions

The new version V35(1) of syngo(R) Imaging (Picture Archiving and Communication System - PACS) will feature major "-ility-" improvements, such as scalability and configurability. It comes with enhanced support functionality for the transition from Magic (the legacy Siemens PACS solution) to the new syngo Imaging PACS, Prior Handling/Multi-Patient Handling, as well as support of syngo(R) MammoReport and syngo(R) Expert-I.

This new version also offers a combination of separate innovative computer-aided detection (CAD) and advanced imaging solutions at the PACS viewing workstation. These intelligent post-processing applications help improve confidence and are geared toward workflow enhancement. State-of-the-art algorithms are the drivers of these applications and the heart and soul of our intelligent post-processing solutions.

Siemens is also showcasing the most recent version of syngo(R) Workflow SLR (Radiology Information System - RIS).  Version 30B(2) encompasses several new features. For example, syngo Portal Radiologist, designed to provide radiologists efficient access to radiological information and tools, now supports an additional workflow step: 'medical check of requests' helps the radiologist to efficiently plan and validate exam orders. The portal has undergone enhancements that improve usability and include features such as 'peer review' and improved 'notes viewer' for improved interaction and communication between users. The embedded dictation tool, syngo Voice, has been updated to include context sensitive shortcuts, helping to make dictating more efficient. With protocol distribution through syngo Chorus MR, the newest version of syngo Workflow SLR enables bidirectional communication to the modality. Protocols generated at the modality or at syngo Portal Radiologist are stored centrally and are therefore available for follow-up exams as well as for exams of other patients. Finally, enhancements towards clinical notifications make it possible to highlight certain clinical data, supporting prompt awareness of important patient information.

Siemens is also further developing syngo(R) Dynamics (Cardio PACS) to help improve efficiency of clinical procedures in cardiovascular imaging, vascular ultrasound, general imaging, and OB/GYN. The upcoming new version 8.0(1) will include features to enhance the cardiology department workflow. For example, a tool designed for administrative reporting of key performance indicators, such as resource utilization and physician productivity, will allow for greater transparency and therefore support proactive department management. In addition, with a new scheduling option, users will be able to better manage resources in cath and echo labs. In this version, the remote viewing application(3) has been re-designed to provide a similar look and feel of the workplace. The application offers a high level of performance - even in low-bandwidth settings, making it possible for physicians to conveniently access images from nearly any location. Finally, in order to maintain continuity in the core applications, version 8.0 is supported on Microsoft's latest Server 2008 and SQL 2008.

Siemens innovative knowledge-driven solutions provide radiologists, cardiologists, and executives with the relevant information and knowledge where they need it most - at the point of decision-making.

1 This information about this product is preliminary. The product is still under development and not commercially available, and its future availability cannot be ensured.

  2 Available for sale in the U.S. only.
  3 Reference viewing only



The Siemens Healthcare Sector is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. The company is a renowned medical solutions provider with core competence and innovative strength in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as well as in knowledge engineering, including information technology and system integration. With its laboratory diagnostics acquisitions, Siemens Healthcare is the first integrated healthcare company, bringing together imaging and lab diagnostics, therapy, and healthcare information technology solutions, supplemented by consulting and support services. Siemens Healthcare delivers solutions across the entire continuum of care - from prevention and early detection, to diagnosis, therapy and care. Additionally, Siemens Healthcare is the global market leader in innovative hearing instruments. The company employs more than 49,000 people worldwide and operates in 130 countries. In the fiscal year 2007 (Sept. 30), Siemens Healthcare reported sales of euro 9.85 billion, orders of euro 10.27 billion, and group profit of euro 1.32 billion. Further information can be found by visiting http://www.siemens.com/healthcare. 

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070904/SIEMENSLOGODATASOURCE: Siemens Healthcare



CONTACT:  Gian Sachdev, [phone], 



Web Site:  http://www.siemens.com/healthcare 

Copyright