Method and apparatus for generating a patient quality assurance

Abstract

The present invention provides a quality assurance system and method that generates a quality assurance (QA) scorecard for patients that use digital devices in a radiological-based medical imaging study. According to one embodiment, client computers, servers, imaging devices, databases, and/or other components may be coupled to provide a unified data collection system. According to one embodiment, systems and methods are provided that analyze various parameters that are derived from the unified data collection system to calculate a QA score for the patient. The QA score provides a combined subjective and objective feedback system that includes performance evaluations from other users, including clinicians, radiologists, technologists and administrators. According to one embodiment, the feedback may be provided in real-time.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A computer implemented method of generating a quality assurance scorecard on a patient, comprising:
 receiving a request for an imaging study on the patient;   retrieving information on the patient from at least one database;   retrieving at least one prior imaging study performed on the patient from said at least one database;   analyzing said prior imaging study with said information on the patient, to determine whether said request for said imaging study is clinically indicated; and   confirming whether said imaging study is necessary based on said analysis.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 analyzing whether said imaging study has been performed previously; and   alerting a user that said imaging study is redundant.   
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein said alerting step is accomplished via electronic communication. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 enabling a user to participate in electronic scheduling, wherein said electronic scheduling is bi-directional.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , further comprising:
 providing at least one direct line of communication between said user and an imaging department, wherein said direct line of communication includes at least one of e-mail, cell phone, pager, facsimile, text messaging, and instant messaging.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , further comprising:
 alerting said users and said imaging department of a change in said scheduling or an additional information requirement, wherein an alert is generated in real-time.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 storing imaging data from at least one current imaging study in said database.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 providing a user with access to said database for at least one of a second opinion or an external peer review.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 enabling said patient to perform corrections to said information that is stored within said database.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 enabling at least one user to create profiles for an imaging data sheet and customize said imaging data sheet display to said user's own individual preferences.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein said imaging data sheet provides said user with information on said patient medical history. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein said information on said patient medical history includes at least one of past medical and surgical history, prior imaging exams and results, current clinical problems, pertinent findings on a physical exam, pertinent laboratory data, pertinent pathology data, ancillary data, technical information related to a prior imaging exam, technologist observations, or technologist notes. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 communicating emergent findings to a preselected list of users by electronic communication.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 generating a comprehensive quality assurance score based on prospective and retrospective trending analysis on at least one of data input, workflow, imaging modality, image equipment and exposure parameters, image processing, exam location and results, patient demographics, patient characteristics, or radiologist and clinician identifiers.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising:
 performing an optimizing technique, comprising the steps of:
 accessing said information on said patient from said database; 
 extracting exposure parameters and corresponding quality assurance scores from all previous imaging studies; and 
 recommending adjustments to exposure levels. 
   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 receiving documentation of imaging complications and risk factors for said patient, and   alerting at least one user of said imaging complications and said risk factors.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising:
 tracking risk factors and determining a cumulative risk to said patient of said imaging study, and instituting an audit trail to track said risk factors and health care decisions made on said patient.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 receiving an outcome analysis on said current imaging study; and   communicating said outcome analysis to a user.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , further comprising:
 receiving feedback from said user on said outcome analysis, wherein said feedback is received via at least one of an electronic or a paper survey.   
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein said feedback includes subjective perceptions of said patient. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 receiving real-time compliance parameters, wherein said compliance parameters include at least one of being present at a scheduled date and time of an appointment, providing pertinent clinical and imaging data, adhering to recommended preparation for an imaging study; providing subjective feedback as it pertains to a quality and timeliness of imaging services, and following up on clinical recommendations.   
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22 , further comprising:
 forwarding at least one educational material to said patient, wherein said material includes at least one of an educational program, educational content that is targeted to imaging findings and disease diagnosis, information about an imaging exam to be performed, common questions and answers, material on a disease entity in question, or context-specific imaging findings.   
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 23 , further comprising:
 providing said educational material through a web portal.   
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 24 , further comprising:
 automating and customizing said educational program to specific topics via bookmarking on-line education materials to specific medical findings.   
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein said educational content includes at least one of interactive content and a quiz. 
     
     
         27 . A computer system for generating a quality assurance scorecard, comprising:
 at least one memory containing at least one program comprising the steps of:
 receiving a request for an imaging study on the patient; 
 retrieving information on the patient from at least one database; 
 retrieving at least one prior imaging study performed on the patient from said at least one database; 
 analyzing said prior imaging study with said information on the patient, to determine whether said request for said imaging study is clinically indicated; 
 confirming whether said imaging study is necessary based on said analysis; and 
   at least one processor for running the program.   
     
     
         28 . The system according to  claim 27 , further comprising:
 a biometrics system which authenticates a user prior to authorizing said request for said imaging study.   
     
     
         29 . The system according to  claim 27 , further comprising:
 an electronic calendar which is bi-directional between said patient and an imaging department performing said imaging study.   
     
     
         30 . The system according to  claim 27 , further comprising:
 a comprehensive quality assurance scorecard based on prospective and retrospective trending analysis on at least one of data input, workflow, imaging modality, image equipment and exposure parameters, image processing, exam location and results, patient demographics, patient characteristics, or radiologist and clinician identifiers.   
     
     
         31 . The system according to  claim 27 , further comprising:
 an educational program for said patient, which includes at least one of an educational program, educational content that is targeted to imaging findings and disease diagnosis, information about an imaging exam to be performed, common questions and answers, material on a disease entity in question, or context-specific imaging findings.   
     
     
         32 . A computer-readable medium containing instructions for generating a quality assurance scorecard on a patient, comprising:
 receiving a request for an imaging study on said patient;   retrieving information on the patient from at least one database;   retrieving at least one prior imaging study performed on the patient from said at least one database;   analyzing said prior imaging study with said information on the patient, to determine whether said request for said imaging study is clinically indicated; and   confirming whether said imaging study is necessary based on said analysis.   
     
     
         33 . The computer-readable medium according to  claim 32 , further comprising:
 analyzing whether said imaging study has been performed previously; and   alerting a user that said imaging study is redundant.   
     
     
         34 . The computer-readable medium according to  claim 32 , further comprising:
 enabling a user to participate in electronic scheduling.   
     
     
         35 . The computer-readable medium according to  claim 32 , further comprising:
 providing at least one direct line of communication between said user and an imaging department.   
     
     
         36 . The computer-readable medium according to  claim 32 , further comprising:
 providing a user with access to said database for at least one of a second opinion or an external peer review.   
     
     
         37 . The computer-readable medium according to  claim 32 , further comprising:
 enabling said patient to perform corrections to said information that is stored within said database.   
     
     
         38 . The computer-readable medium according to  claim 32 , further comprising:
 enabling at least one user to create profiles for an imaging data sheet and customize said imaging data sheet display to said user's own individual preferences.   
     
     
         39 . The computer-readable medium according to  claim 32 , further comprising:
 generating a comprehensive quality assurance score based on prospective and retrospective trending analysis on at least one of data input, workflow, imaging modality, image equipment and exposure parameters, image processing, exam location and results, patient demographics, patient characteristics, or radiologist and clinician identifiers.   
     
     
         40 . The computer-readable medium according to  claim 39 , further comprising:
 performing an optimizing technique, comprising the steps of:
 accessing said information on said patient from said database; 
 extracting exposure parameters and corresponding quality assurance scores from all previous imaging studies; and 
 recommending adjustments to exposure levels. 
   
     
     
         41 . The computer-readable medium according to  claim 32 , further comprising:
 tracking risk factors and determining a cumulative risk to said patient of said imaging study.   
     
     
         42 . The computer-readable medium according to  claim 41 , further comprising:
 instituting an audit trail to track said risk factors and health care decisions made on said patient.   
     
     
         43 . The computer-readable medium according to  claim 42 , further comprising:
 receiving an outcome analysis on said current imaging study; and   communicating said outcome analysis to a user.   
     
     
         44 . The computer-readable medium according to  claim 32 , further comprising:
 receiving compliance parameters, wherein said compliance parameters include at least one of being present at a scheduled date and time of an appointment, providing pertinent clinical and imaging data, adhering to recommended preparation for an imaging study, providing subjective feedback as it pertains to a quality and timeliness of imaging services, and following up on clinical recommendations.   
     
     
         45 . The computer-readable medium according to  claim 32 , further comprising:
 forwarding at least one educational material to said patient, said material including at least one of an educational program, educational content that is targeted to imaging findings and disease diagnosis, information about an imaging exam to be performed, common questions and answers, material on a disease entity in question, or context-specific imaging findings.