1. Pre-acquisition > 2. Acquisition > 3. Reporting > 4. Results distribution
The pre-acquisition phase begins when the patient arrives, unconscious, at the hospital emergency room.
1. The patient arrives at the hospital via ambulance
In a trauma case, the patient arrives at the hospital emergency room unconscious and unable to communicate his name, age, and so on.
2. The emergency room physician orders a CT head exam
The emergency room physician examines the patient and determines that a CT head exam is required.
3. The radiology department schedules the order for a "John Doe"
Because the patient is unconscious, the radiology department schedules a CT head exam for a John Doe. The order is registered in the Radiology Information System (RIS), even though the patient's name and demographic information are unknown.
1. Pre-acquisition > 2. Acquisition > 3. Reporting > 4. Results distribution