Storing US images on PACS

These are the step by step instructions for sending ED US images to PACS.  this is the way images should be stored from now on barring any breakdown in the PACS system.  There are 2 scenarios - either the patient has the usual patient ID info or they don't (as in a CODE T).  The first set of instructions applies to the usual scenario when we do have patient ID.  The 2nd set applies to the scenario when we don't.

Scenario 1:  patient info available Scenario 2: patient info not immediately available
  • press PATIENT
  • press NEW PATIENT
  • In the middle of the screen you will see instruction to "Please scan a bar code or press cancel to input by keyboard".  Scan the patient's bar code to input the encounter # which will be the Patient ID number.  If the bar code scanner fails to detect the number,  you can enter it by hand.
  • Continue by entering patient's last and first names, DOB, gender
  • Enter exam description, e.g. FAST, renal, etc.
  • enter your name as performing physician
  • hit EXIT
  • perform scan, freeze an image you want to save then hit P1
  • When you're finished scanning your images, press PATIENT to return to the patient info screen
  • hit DETAILS which is below NEW PATIENT on the upper left
  • enter the indication for the study in the INDICATIONS section e.g. Left flank pain, MVC abdominal pain, etc.
  • In COMMENTS section immediately below INDICATIONS, enter your interpretation e.g. neg fast, mild hydronephrosis, pos IUP, etc.
  • hit FREEZE and then P1 to store this report along with your images
  • press END EXAM button on keypad
  • hit PERMANENT STORE on upper left to begin sending images and report to PACS
  • hit EXIT which will complete the sending process

The images and report from your study are now on PACS

  • press PATIENT
  • press NEW PATIENT
  • a pop-up will appear regarding the bar code - press CANCEL
  • hit EXIT
  • scan image, freeze, hit P1
  • a "warning" pop-up will appear state "A patient must be selected..." hit OK

When the patient is properly registered, return to the machine and do the following steps:

  • hit PATIENT
  • enter encounter number manually, patient last name, first name, exam type, your name
  • hit DETAILS
  • enter indication for exam and in the comments section below, write your interpretation of the images
  • hit P1
  • hit EXIT
  • a warning appears regarding unsaved images - hit OK
  • hit END EXAM
  • hit PERMANENT STORE
  • hit EXIT

The images and report from your study are now on PACS

 

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