ER: Getting started

When reviewing images and reports for ER patients, you can perform these tasks to get started.

To review patients with new images, but no radiology report

1. Expand the worklist that contains new studies for your patient. Right-click the required study or studies and select Open with Images.

   A tab is created for the patient in the navigation bar at the bottom of the Image area, and the images are displayed. Any relevant priors are automatically opened, if set to do so.

   or

   Search for a specific patient and open the patient's studies.

   To find patients faster, search by patient ID using a * wildcard; for example, 4653* returns all patients whose ID begins with 4653.

2. In the Text area, view the study highlights, study description, and other study information.

   At a single-monitor station, to switch from the Image to the Text area, click the Text button in the top toolbar of the Image area.

3. If available, browse any prior reports in the Study List for the patient.

4. In the Image area, view images for the study. You may need to:

   • Change the study screen format to show one image at full screen size, or two studies (a current and prior) next to each other.

   • Scroll through a stack of CT images, which gives the illusion of movement.

   • Scroll to another study for the same patient, if you opened multiple studies for one patient or if relevant priors were set to open automatically.

5. Transform the images to better discern clinical findings. You may need to:

   • Change image brightness and contrast with the Window Level tool.

   • Magnify an image with the Zoom tool.

   • Rotate an image to a better orientation.

6. When you have completed your review, return to the Text area to add study comments, such as a preliminary diagnosis or wet read, or other relevant clinical information the radiologist must know before reporting on the study.

7. When complete, close the current patient's studies.

To review patients that have approved reports

1. Expand the worklist that contains reported studies for your patient or search for the specific patient and open the patient's studies.

2. In the Text area, under the Report bar view the report.

   At a single-monitor station, to switch from the Image to the Text area, click the Text button in the top toolbar of the Image area.

3. If the report has Key Images, double-click any key images you want to view in the Image area.

4. In the Image area, view any other images for the study.

5. Transform the images to better discern clinical findings.

6. When complete, close the current patient's studies.