Description
Recent national media attention has drawn sharp focus on the surge in patient exposure to medical radiation. According to the National Council on Radiation Protection & Measurements, Americans have experienced a six-fold increase in radiation exposure between 1980 and 2006 due to broad applications of CT scans and other medical imaging techniques. Recognition of these trends has led medical accrediting bodies such as the American College of Radiologists to issue new appropriateness guidelines. Moreover, some insurance carriers are employing imaging appropriateness case managers who provide prior authorization before clinicians can administer a scan. 

The emergence of community HIEs has begun to play a role in avoiding unnecessary exposure to radiation by enabling records and images to be shared between unaffiliated providers. In a study conducted by Weill Cornell Medical School, published in the December 2015 issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology, researchers documented a 19% reduction in imaging orders when clinicians had access to prior records through the community HIE.

The regional health information exchange for Southeast Texas, Greater Houston Healthconnect, is supporting industry-wide efforts to reduce non-medically indicated duplicate testing by deploying a lightweight image sharing solution, which is tightly integrated within the exchange platform and linked to MPI. By incorporating imaging within the community health record, providers have an alternative to ordering expensive duplicate images that are often not reimbursable by insurance carriers.

Due to its agile architecture, smaller radiology practices as well as large institutions can readily use this solution. Images may be queried through the health information exchange and integrated as a part of the medical record.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify the potential to immediately access existing medical images from community sources for immediate clinical application
2. Explain the underlying architecture and interoperability platform
3. Discuss economic, industry and cultural climate supporting this technology

Speakers
Deepak Chaudhry, MS, CPHIMS, ITIL
President, Houston Chapter of HIMSS
Chief Information & Security Officer
Greater Houston Healthconnect

Deepak Chaudhry leads technology for Greater Houston Healthconnect, overseeing all implementations, technical support and technology development. He has over 14 years of experience in delivering cutting edge technology solutions to regional healthcare systems.

Prior to joining Healthconnect, Mr. Chaudhry was Vice President of Information Technology at Nexus Health Systems. During his tenure there, Mr. Chaudhry was the project sponsor and lead on the implementation of Meditech C/S. He also carried out multilevel infrastructure improvements including BYOD management, security appliances, client computing, wireless and network improvements. He was founding partner of Venus Technology, a healthcare IT consulting company advising healthcare providers on EMR acquisition and implementation of IT infrastructure.

During his tenure, he developed home health software and a scheduling application to support therapy staffing. Mr. Chaudhry also held technical and managerial positions in Philadelphia and Toronto, where he assumed positions in IT consulting-IT Data Management for the healthcare, not for profit, legal and transportation industries. He also managed a large dental practice in Philadelphia and implemented dental EHR services.

Mr. Chaudhry received a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada and a Master of Information Science from Pennsylvania State University. He has also earned industry certifications including a Microsoft Certified System Engineer designation, a Project Management certificate from New York University, a Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS) designation and an Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL v3) certification. Mr. Chaudhry is a board member of the Houston HIMSS chapter and is actively involved in the local healthcare IT community. He and his family support the local chapter of the ALS Foundation.

Ed Field
Director of Imaging Services
Diagnostic Health

Ed Field joined Diagnostic Health in 2014, having held numerous executive level healthcare management positions in the imaging industry. As an executive with a proven track record of creating operational efficiencies that streamline processes, positively impact bottom-line results, improve customer/patient service and create positive community relations. Ed draws upon expertise in Facility Operations, New Business Design and Development, Innovative Team-Oriented Leadership, Program Planning and Execution, P&L and Financial Accountability, Proactive Problem Resolution, Information Technology, Sales and Marketing Leadership, Staff Management and Development, Acquisitions and Change Management.

Mr. Field is President of the Beaumont Founders Lion’s Club and a member of the Radiology Business Managers Association and RSNA.