Despite the considerable progress that’s been made to bridge the gap between IT and radiology, in part through the development of sophisticated IT-based radiology practice solutions, a considerable understanding gap remains between those who implement and support solutions and those who use them.  According to results from a recent survey conducted by Adam H. Kaye, MD, MBA, of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and presented at the 2014 annual meeting of the Society of Imaging Informatics in Medicine (SIIM), individuals from IT and radiology staff working in the same facility feel like fish out of water when asked about the specific day-to-day workflows and decision-making processes of the other group. After completing a survey and participating in a shadowing experiment, the two groups gained alignment, achieved only because they were able to experience and understand the needs of the other group and recognize the importance of communication. 

Siemens Healthcare has announced that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the SOMATOM Scope, a new 16-slice computed tomography (CT) scanner. The SOMATOM Scope delivers the image quality, dose reduction and workflow-enhancing benefits long associated with the SOMATOM family of CT scanners at a price point that enables facilities to extend routine diagnostic imaging services to more patients and in more specialty settings. The SOMATOM Scope also includes eCockpit technology that extends the scanner’s operational lifetime by minimizing wear and tear on its most vital components. Designed for private radiology practices, community hospitals, critical access hospitals, specialty practices such as orthopedics and urology, and veterinary medicine, the SOMATOM Scope is available in two configurations – Scope and Scope Power – and enables healthcare providers to comply with the NEMA XR-29 Smart Dose Standard, ensuring a safer imaging experience for patients.

While MRI is often considered one of the safer imaging modalities due to its lack of ionizing radiation, other dangers remain for patients, with thermal burns being a chief concern. 

WAUWATOSA, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GE Healthcare (NYSE: GE) today announced the FDA approval of SenoClaire*, GE’s new breast tomosynthesis solution designed with a three-dimensional imaging technology. In collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital, GE developed SenoClaire technology that uses a low-dose short X-ray sweep around the positioned breast with nine exposures acquired with a “step-and-shoot” method, removing the potential motion from the tube helping to reduce blur and increase image sharpness.

FUJIFILM NAMED CATEGORY LEADER IN 2013 BEST IN KLAS: SOFTWARE AND SERVICES REPORT  Stamford, Conn., February 20, 2014 – FUJIFILM Medical Systems U.S.A., Inc. was recognized as the Category Leader for Radiology (Ambulatory) in the 2013 Best in KLAS: Software and Services report, published by KLAS Research.  SYNAPSE RIS, the advanced Radiology Information System on the market today, received the highest marks in the ambulatory radiology information systems category.  “We are honored by this recognition as it is based on the opinions and experiences of healthcare providers who rely on Fujifilm’s expertise and innovative solutions,” said Jim Morgan, vice president of Medical Informatics, FUJIFILM Medical Systems U.S.A., Inc. “At Fujifilm, we strive to go above and beyond our customers’ expectations.  We will continue to focus on quality, innovation and service to deliver the best solutions available.” The Category Leader award is given to the software and services vendor/solutions that have outperformed all others in their specific field. It is entirely based on provider feedback. Contributing to Fujifilm’s ranking was customer feedback and ratings on the product’s functional strengths. “We listened to the providers, and these are the results,” said Adam Gale, CEO and president of KLAS Research. “This report is a reflection of thousands of providers who wanted to be heard and counted. That is the reason top-performing vendors should be proud of their achievements.” Synapse RIS offers a host of features designed to meet the needs of outpatient facilities, radiology groups and hospitals. The system has also received EHR certification, enabling it to be part of the Meaningful Use initiative that provides financial incentives to medical professionals who use a certified EHR.  New this year is improved Synapse financials, patient portal and a new business analytics module. The annual report ranks the best-performing healthcare IT vendors in more than 100 market segments based on ratings from over 18,000 interviews with healthcare providers. KLAS evaluations are weighted in the following key areas: sales and contracting; implementation and training; service and support; and general and overall services. To see a demonstration of Fujifilm’s “Best in KLAS” product line at HIMSS, please register here: http://himss.fujimed.com. For more information visit, www.fujimed.com.   About KLAS KLAS is a research firm on a global mission to improve healthcare delivery by enabling providers to be heard and counted. Working with thousands of healthcare professionals and clinicians, KLAS gathers data on software, services, medical equipment, and infrastructure systems to deliver timely reports, trends, and statistical overviews. The research directly represents the provider voice and acts as a catalyst for improving vendor performance. Follow KLAS on Twitter at www.twitter.com/KLASresearch

NEW FUJIFILM SYNAPSE PATIENT-CENTRIC VNA SOLUTION HIGHLIGHTED AT 2014 HEALTHCARE INFORMATION & MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS SOCIETY (HIMSS) CONFERENCE & EXHIBIT Stamford, Conn., February 21, 2014 (Booth #4074) – FUJIFILM Medical Systems U.S.A., Inc., will unveil a patient-centric vendor neutral archive (VNA) for healthcare professionals at the 2014 annual meeting of the Healthcare Informatics Management Systems Society (HIMSS) conference and exhibit in Orlando, FL from February 23-27, 2014. Synapse VNA technology will catalog and maintain the data in a patient centric model allowing a single access point for EMRs and other systems.  “Patient healthcare requires communication and decision-making across care providers and settings,” said Jim Morgan, vice president of Medical Informatics, FUJIFILM Medical Systems U.S.A., Inc. “Fujifilm is pleased to introduce Synapse VNA, a new healthcare information technology platform that simplifies healthcare reporting and enables the healthcare community to have access to a complete patient record and streamlines workflow.” Multi-vendor environments are commonplace and Synapse VNA provides the platform to interface and integrate the data generated by these systems, and provide actionable intelligence. Synapse VNA will enhance image management, streamline workflow, reduce costs and, most importantly, improve patient care. It can be implemented within any environment and offers data access and availability.  The archive allows sharing and consolidation of the storage and provides secure access across all authorized users.  Synapse VNA provides a unified viewing experience for the VNA DICOM and non-DICOM data.  The Synapse VNA solution also embraces the importance of fast access to content through a zero download single viewing solution capable by displaying content within the VNA securely to desktop computers, mobile devices, or through EMR with Synapse Mobility. To see a demonstration at HIMSS, please register here: http://himss.fujimed.com. For more information visit: www.fujimed.com.

FUJIFILM SHOWCASES SYNAPSE PORTFOLIO AT 2014 HEALTHCARE INFORMATION & MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS SOCIETY (HIMSS) CONFERENCE & EXHIBIT Stamford, Conn., February 21, 2014 (Booth #4074) – FUJIFILM Medical Systems U.S.A., Inc., will be showing several new technologies at the 2014 annual meeting of the Healthcare Informatics Management Systems Society (HIMSS) conference and exhibit in Orlando, FL from February 23-27, 2014. Recognized globally as a premier conference in healthcare, HIMSS brings the industry’s brightest and most dynamic thought–leaders together to share ideas on the latest innovations in healthcare. “At HIMSS, Fujfilm will continue to deliver numerous benefits to providers by helping them to better synchronize information and workflows across multiple platforms with the Synapse portfolio,” said Jim Morgan, vice president of Medical Informatics, FUJIFILM Medical Systems U.S.A., Inc. “We’re helping healthcare systems everywhere from a broad range of organizations including small physician practices to large hospital systems. Our comprehensive solutions increase efficiency and enhance productivity.” Visit HIMSS booth #4074 to learn more about Fujifilm’s offerings through live demonstrations and opportunities for face-to-face conversations. Following is a summary of offerings: The cornerstone of Fujifilm’s integrated solution is Synapse PACS. Two main goals – enhanced communication and optimized productivity for radiologists in any imaging environment – were the impetus behind its development. Also to be showcased is the advanced Synapse Cardiovascular, a web-based platform uniquely suited to fit into any facility’s I.T. infrastructure. It creates finalized, signed cardiovascular-structured reports quickly and easily. Advanced tools that help quantify results, such as interactive diagrams and freehand drawing tools, add to its advantages. It can be optimized for cardiac catheterization, invasive peripheral vascular, echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, vascular ultrasound and cardiac CT and MRI procedures. Radiologists and cardiologists interested in advanced visualization and analysis will find the innovations of Fujifilm’s Synapse 3D very appealing for their diagnostic needs with twenty nine functions to choose from. It is fully integrated with Synapse PACS and Synapse Cardiovascular, and eliminates the need to access advanced diagnostic tools from a separate workstation or with a separate login. Patient lists are synchronized, making it up to date at all times. The next generation of Synapse RIS, the most advanced Radiology Information System on the market today, will also be shown. Synapse RIS offers a host of features designed to meet the needs of outpatient facilities, radiology groups and hospitals. The system has also received EHR certification, enabling it to be part of the Meaningful Use initiative that provides financial incentives to medical professionals who use a certified EHR.  New this year is improved Synapse financials, patient portal and a new business analytics module. Fujifilm has also announced the integration of vendor neutral architecture (VNA) into its Synapse portfolio. Synapse VNA enables the management and distribution of DICOM and non-DICOM information from a variety of PACS providers.  IT professionals will appreciate the Information Lifecycle Management (ILM) features, multiple domain/organization structure access controls, virtualized platform and Oracle Enterprise Edition (EE) database. Fujifilm will also share the benefits of its zero footprint mobile application, Synapse Mobility. The application enables access to Fujifilm’s suite of Synapse products from hand-held devices, in addition to browser independence. Access to non-DICOM information from the Synapse VNA has been added to complete the universal viewing capability from EMRs such as Epic Hyperspace.  Synapse Mobility continues to lead in diagnostic capability as demonstrated by having a 510(k) from the FDA for both browser and mobile versions. To see a demonstration at HIMSS, please register here: http://himss.fujimed.com. For more information visit: www.fujimed.com.  About Fujifilm FUJIFILM Medical Systems U.S.A., Inc. is a leading provider of diagnostic imaging products and medical informatics solutions to meet the needs of healthcare facilities today and well into the future. From an unrivaled selection of digital x-ray systems, to the Synapse® brand of PACS, RIS and cardiovascular products, to advanced women’s health imaging systems, Fujifilm has products that are ideal for any size imaging environment. The Endoscopy Division of FUJIFILM Medical Systems U.S.A., Inc. supplies high quality, technologically advanced FUJINON brand endoscopes to the medical market. FUJIFILM Medical Systems U.S.A., Inc. is headquartered in Stamford, CT. For more information please visit www.fujimed.com and www.fujifilmendoscopy.com .