Web-Based Solution Triages ER Imaging

February 26, 2010 - A December 2009 study in The American Journal of Surgery cites that overall 53 percent of trauma transfer patients receive duplicate imaging exams at an average cost of nearly $3,000 per patient. In an effort to improve the way critical diagnostic imaging information is shared during emergency transfers, a new e-sharing platform collects diagnostic imaging information early, and instantly shares it with surgical teams and other care providers.

By electronically receiving imaging data before a transfer is even initiated, the Web-based Trauma Image Management and Exchange (TIME) solution by lifeIMAGE is designed to allow trauma centers to have more time to prepare and avoid repeat exams when the transfer patients arrive.

First response sites that need to e-share diagnostic quality images with a trauma center using TIME do not need to purchase or deploy lifeIMAGE software, or have a virtual private network (VPN) connection. With an Internet connection, imaging information is shared with the receiving site’s trauma DropBox, where clinicians and administrators can preview and examine images. lifeIMAGE operates the service on the EMC Atmos Online infrastructure. With TIME, trauma centers will download and incorporate these exams into their internal enterprise-based medical records systems.

Tufts Medical Center is one Boston-area trauma center that plans to use TIME in the next few months.

For more information: www.lifeimage.com