Pre-fetching Patient Data for Virtual Worklists

Abstract

Methods and systems for automating the search, selection, and retrieval of historical patient data associated with a current patient study. The invention includes methods to overcome issues with multi-site networking and administrative rules and managing efficient workflow for the viewing and analysis of diagnostic images within an healthcare enterprise network. The methods and systems can provide enterprise-wide workflow routing, load balancing, customized diagnostic workflow implementation, information flow, flexible worklist viewing, system administration, and maximized diagnostic production.

1 . A method for automating and managing workflow for healthcare data retrieval, display, and analysis on a healthcare enterprise network, comprising:
 receiving a study order for a patient, wherein the study order originates from a network;   storing the study order in a Worklist as an uncompleted study order;   applying a workflow routing rule to data contained in the study order to determine a destination group;   automatically making accessible to a second workstation the healthcare data of a primary study of the patient associated with the study order;   locating a network source of historical information about the patient; and   automatically making accessible to the second workstation the historical information about the patient.   
     
     
         2 .- 42 . (canceled)