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November 6, 2024
Read MoreFrom June 27-29, I had the pleasure of attending the 2024 Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine (SIIM) Annual Meeting and InformaticsTECH Expo. SIIM 2024: Making Waves in Imaging Informatics drew thousands of attendees including technology leaders, IT professionals, clinicians and scientists.
I had the honor of participating in a SIIM #AskIndustry panel and moderating our PocketHealth Industry Connect session. These sessions, along with other discussions with industry leaders, highlighted the following challenges and opportunities within imaging informatics:
SIIM 2024 featured conversations on modernizing image exchange to create operational efficiencies and improve staff productivity. Several sessions, including PocketHealth’s Industry Connect session and SIIM’s #AskIndustry panel, focused on transforming image exchange by taking a patient-centric approach.
Outdated legacy image exchange systems often prioritize image transfer between providers without accounting for patient access and engagement. As a result, providers face network barriers that lead to complex manual solutions like CD burning. Manual stop-gap solutions hinder timely access to imaging records and erode patient experience, retention and continuity of care while incurring avoidable costs.
We addressed these challenges during the PocketHealth Industry Connect and SIIM #AskIndustry session. Here is a recap of the discussion:
During the conference, I moderated an insightful PocketHealth panel on Practical Strategies: Enhancing Patient Engagement Through Modern Enterprise Image Exchange. The session addressed gaps within legacy image exchange systems and offered strategies to transform image exchange. We were joined by industry experts, including:
Panelists addressed inefficiencies, patient dissatisfaction and care delays caused by legacy image exchange systems. Harsh Nayyar shared the biggest pain points providers face while using legacy systems. “They assume a static view of the world. It’s an implicit assumption that all points are well defined up front and they’re all connected — and that nothing changes.”
Attendees learned strategies to enable seamless, secure image exchange with patients, physicians and providers. Our panelists also shared how they increased patient retention and revenue by engaging and involving patients in their healthcare journey. They also discussed improving patient satisfaction and retention rates while overcoming network barriers.
Stacie Barnard highlighted the increased workload that comes with higher imaging volumes and why stop-gap solutions don’t save staff time. “We’ve increased our staff because radiologists have so many images to read and we need the extra help. They don’t have time to burn CDs—they’re calling for follow-ups and patching referrals into the system.”
To remove operational inefficiencies and prevent the adoption of stop-gap solutions like CD burning, panelists emphasized the importance of patient-driven image exchange. According to the speakers, implementing a patient-centric approach that goes beyond traditional image exchange can generate cost savings and reduce the need for complex manual workflows. Such an approach empowers patients with more knowledge and control while enabling providers to engage and retain patients more effectively.
As a panelist in the SIIM 2024 #AskIndustry session, I had an opportunity to discuss the importance of cloud technology with other industry leaders. This session titled The Cloud And Waves Of Change: The New Normal Elevates Imaging IT, highlighted migration to cloud technology and its impact on the performance, scalability, security, availability and stability of imaging systems. We discussed how cloud technology has improved performance by streamlining operations and decreasing manual tasks. This decrease in manual workload allows providers to focus on reorganizing existing processes and redirecting staff time to help more patients.
I emphasized that while cloud technology may pose initial risks, investing in cloud-based security training can unlock new applications that strengthen existing security protocols
Additionally, we offered insights on how the cloud is reshaping CIIP priorities. The cloud enables them to shift focus from hands-on tasks to a more analytical and holistic view of their organization. Attendees left the session with insights on preparing personally and organizationally to transition to the cloud and the opportunities that emerge as a result of this transition.
Advancements in AI remained a primary theme at this year’s conference. SIIM and the American College of Radiology (ACR) hosted the 2024 SIIM-ACR Data Science Summit summit to address data, diagnostics and ethics in radiology AI. Speakers discussed ways to ensure AI systems used in medical imaging are rigorously tested, transparent and dependable.
Industry experts held a session on AI At The Heart Of Academia – Commercial Solutions For Efficiency & Outcomes. This session highlighted how AI tools increase efficiency in hospitals. Through case studies, listeners learned ways AI can streamline workflows by automating report impressions, reducing errors and boosting patient adherence.
The role of Large Language Models (LLMs) in radiology was also a core discussion point. A session on Harnessing Large Language Models (LLMs) In Healthcare’s Digital Frontier explored how health professionals can improve clinical workflows, enhance diagnostic capabilities and advance healthcare delivery with LLMs. The presentation outlined LLMs’ role in Electronic Health Records (EHRs) through clinical documentation, coding, decision support systems and predictive analytics. Central to this discussion was how LLMs improve patient outcomes in healthcare settings.
Effective AI applications, fueled by LLMs, not only increase staff efficiency but also engage patients and provide an integrated patient experience. Providers require operational efficiency to prevent resource shortages and profit challenges within healthcare. To combat these challenges, providers can leverage AI tools to streamline workflows and improve communication between staff and patients.
Unlike legacy image solutions that de-prioritize patient access and engagement, patient-centered image exchange solutions create a personalized healthcare experience for each patient. AI can transform the patient experience by providing patients with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions about their care. Examples include MyCare Navigator, a PocketHealth feature that offers smart insights into patient imaging and reports and recommends actionable next steps. By engaging patients during pre- and post-appointment cycles, providers can increase patient retention while minimizing clerical involvement.
As with any health technology conference, cybersecurity remained a top priority. The No Phish Out Of Water – Securing The Imaging AI Workflow session provided strategies to defend against emerging cybersecurity threats in AI. Attendees explored the CIA (Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability) framework and how it ensures data integrity, manages availability risks and addresses confidentiality challenges unique to AI workflows.
Attendees also learned the financial, clinical and operational impact of cyberattacks and protocols to mitigate these issues. Another session, Zero Trust – Enforcing Data Protection In An AI/Cloud-Connected World, discussed ways to apply Zero Trust security principles in an AI and cloud world.
As demonstrated in these sessions, data security and safety are crucial to protecting sensitive data and navigating advancements in AI and cloud applications.
To maintain data security and safety, PocketHealth uses leading-edge measures to ensure data confidentiality, integrity and availability. We perform regular third-party audits and use stringent encryption protocols and robust access controls. PocketHealth also offers an automated collection of signed patient consent and indemnification of the provider before release. These security practices enable providers to focus on what matters most: their patients.
Continued conversations about transforming image exchange solutions through workflow efficiencies, AI functionality and data security are critical to advancing imaging informatics. After reflecting on the themes and takeaways from SIIM 2024, I look forward to applying these insights to image exchange for our patients, physicians and provider partners.
Ready to upgrade your enterprise image exchange? Book a meeting to see how PocketHealth can help you.