Abstract
Today, radiology departments still rely on compact disks to share imaging studies with patients. This practice is outdated as the majority of modern computers do not possess optical drives. In effect, hospitals are providing disks to patients to enable a single use, physical transport between two locations. This practice contrasts with the original goals of providing patients with their images: to empower ownership and provide transparency about their healthcare. The purpose of this manuscript is to implement an online platform for patient image viewing through an electronic health record patient portal. The number of study viewers was recorded daily over the first 90 days on our platform. During this time, the patients viewed 12,257 imaging studies. This represents 22% of the 56,413 imaging studies performed in our department. On average, there were 136 imaging studies viewed/day (range 52–250). We determined that an online platform enabling patients to view their images is feasible. At our hospital, a large percentage of patients quickly identified this feature and began using it to view their imaging studies.
Similar content being viewed by others
Change history
02 December 2020
The original version of this paper was updated to present the correct figures.
References
A. J. Gunn, M. D. Mangano, G. Choy, and D. V. Sahani, “Rethinking the role of the radiologist: enhancing visibility through both traditional and nontraditional reporting practices,” Radiogr. Rev. Publ. Radiol. Soc. N. Am. Inc, vol. 35, no. 2, pp. 416–423, 2015, https://doi.org/10.1148/rg.352140042.
D. Henshaw, G. Okawa, K. Ching, T. Garrido, H. Qian, and J. Tsai, “Access to Radiology Reports via an Online Patient Portal: Experiences of Referring Physicians and Patients,” J. Am. Coll. Radiol. JACR, vol. 12, no. 6, pp. 582-586.e1, 2015, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacr.2015.01.015.
M. P. McBee, L. A. Perry, J. Bick, and A. J. Towbin, “Online Patient Portal System to Allow Patients to Directly Communicate With Radiologists,” J. Am. Coll. Radiol., vol. 16, no. 7, pp. 999–1002 2019 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacr.2019.01.013.
Trendwatch: Individuals’ Ability to Electronically Access Their Hospital Medical Records, Perform Key Tasks. American Hospital Association. https://www.aha.org/system/files/research/reports/tw/16jul-tw-healthIT.pdf. Accessed 11/24/2020.
J. Lowensohn, Apple’s plan to wipe out disc drives is nearly complete. CNET.com. https://www.cnet.com/news/apples-plan-to-wipe-out-disc-drives-is-nearly-complete/. Accessed 11/24/2020.
B. Owsinski, Best Buy, Winding Down CD Sales, Pounds Another Nail Into The Format’s Coffin. Forbes.com. https://www.forbes.com/sites/bobbyowsinski/2018/07/07/best-buy-cd-sales/?sh=573585491d2e. Accessed 11/24/2020.
A. R. Chatterjee et al., “Image Sharing in Radiology—A Primer,” Acad. Radiol., vol. 24, no. 3, pp. 286–294 2017 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acra.2016.12.002.
HHS Finalizes Historic Rules to Provide Patients More Control of Their Health Data. https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2020/03/09/hhs-finalizes-historic-rules-to-provide-patients-more-control-of-their-health-data.html. Accessed 11/24/2020.
Towbin AJ, O'Connor T, Perry LA, Moskovitz JA, Miñano GG, Regan J, Hulefeld D, Schwieterman E, Hater D, Smith RL. Using informatics to engage patients. Pediatr Radiol. 2020 Oct;50(11):1514-1524. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-020-04767-1. Epub 2020 Sep 15. PMID: 32935243.
Imaging 3.0. American College of Radiology. https://www.acr.org/Practice-Management-Quality-Informatics/Imaging-3. Accessed 11/24/2020.
P. H. Ellenbogen, “Imaging 3.0: what is it?,” J. Am. Coll. Radiol. JACR, vol. 10, no. 4, p. 229 2013 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacr.2013.02.011.
Patient-centered care. Radiological Society of North America. https://www.rsna.org/practice-tools/patient-centered-care. Accessed 11/24/2020.
G. B. McGinty, “#DitchtheDisk,” J. Am. Coll. Radiol., vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 267–268 2019 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacr.2019.01.022.
Slotnick C. Back to Cloud Basics : Image Enabling the EHR. Ambra. https://ambrahealth.com/hospitals-health-systems/back-to-cloud-basics-image-enabling-ehr/. Accessed 11/24/2020.
Frederick Health Image-Enables Patient Portal. Ambra. https://ambrahealth.com/case-study/frederick-memorial-hospital-image-enables-patient-portal/. Accessed 11/24/2020.
S. Ranginwala and A. J. Towbin, “Use of Social Media in Radiology Education,” J. Am. Coll. Radiol. JACR, vol. 15, no. 1 , pp. 190–200, 2018 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacr.2017.09.010.
B. L. Koch, “Avoiding sedation in pediatric radiology,” Pediatr. Radiol., vol. 38 Suppl 2, p. 225, 2008 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-008-0807-z.
B. L. Koch, D. Hater, K. Nees, and A. C. Leopard, “Improving Communication, Collaboration, and Faculty Comfort in Communicating Difficult News in the Pediatric Radiology Department,” AJR Am. J. Roentgenol., vol. 207, no. 5, pp. 971–975, 2016 https://doi.org/10.2214/AJR.16.16641.
S. Ranginwala and A. J. Towbin, “The Power of Promotion: Using Social Media to Promote a Radiology Department,” Acad. Radiol., vol. 24, no. 4, pp. 488–496, Apr. 2017 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acra.2016.11.011.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Dhamija, A., Moskovitz, J.A., Bick, J. et al. Image-Enabling the Patient Portal of an Electronic Health Record. J Digit Imaging 34, 483–488 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10278-020-00404-3
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10278-020-00404-3