Integrated information and image management systems for the 90s

The rising number of implementations of PACS (Picture Archiving and Communications Systems) subsystems, specialized information systems (radiology, laboratory, pharmacy, and other ancillary departments), and increased interest in the role of optical storage systems hospitalwide, creates an environment that demands the integration of each of these systems if the hospital is to operate at maximum profitability levels. This has been recognized by several groups who have proposed standards for communication between vendors and systems, and their efforts, combined with the support of the hospitals, will hopefully allow the promise of a fully electronic hospital to become a reality. While the concept of a totally integrated fully electronic hospital has been with us for over a decade, only recently have medical vendors attempted to evolve from a conceptual phase to one of workable, cost-effective systems. Few will debate the fact that the fully integrated information and image management system is still several years away, yet many hospitals have recognized the importance of planning for use of the component technology available today. This planning stage is critical and, combined with the phased implementation of the existing technologies, it can provide significant advantages in the overall acceptance of this future technology. This paper addresses the role of the standards organizations in making this integration a reality, how conceptually a fully integrated information and image management system will work, new technologies and their potential uses in the hospital, and both the advantages the technology can bring in solving existing problems and hurdles that still need to be overcome.