Overview

eXpedo software is based on the concept of DISCflow™ Profiles, which define and automate the preferences for producing DICOM DISCs and patient reference CDs.

DISCflow Profiles add intelligence to the process of CD/DVD creation by automating "routine" requests, no matter how many versions of "routine" requests you may need.  For unique, one-of-a-kind requests, a "Query & Build" DISCflow Profile eliminates the waiting period for all selected images to arrive to the CD/DVD burner.

A DISCflow Profile deals directly with the question of what medical data needs to be recorded and what needs to be done to create the CD/DVD that contains the data.  It defines one or more sources of incoming data, the means by which the data is processed, and the characteristics and contents of the output media. It receives, retrieves, accumulates and assembles the data.

Create as many profiles as you need, and eXpedo does the rest!

DISCflow Profiles

A DISCflow Profile will identify:

• the type (DICOM, patient reference, backup, anonymized) or types of DISCS to be produced
• the number of copies to be made of each type of DISC selected and the media (CD or DVD) to be used
• the style of label to print (for users supporting multiple label designs)
• the type of DICOM viewer to embed. eXpedo automatically embeds Sorna's DICOM viewer, but can also embed other DICOM viewers as well
• the identity of the recipient of the DISC and the content requirements specified for the recipient, such as inclusion of priors and related reports over a specified period of time, based on the body part imaged by a specific modality for the current procedure(s)
• in situations when the quantity of data requires more than one DISC, whether the disc should be split at the patient exam level, study level or series level
• the priority status of the order
• the DISC burner to be used, or first available (when 2 or more eXpedo systems are networked)

Query&Build Profile

You get requests every day for individual patients' images and reports. Query&Build is designed to dramatically reduce the staff time to fulfill these requests.

Query&Build enables a user to query a PACS database and select specific exams that need to be burned to DISC. Once the "Build" command is initiated, eXpedo will automatically query all storage locations on the network. After an exam is retrieved to its server, eXpedo will query the RIS for relevant reports and transfer this data in structured report format.

Because eXpedo is intelligent, it keeps track of the status of data arriving in the server for the recording system, and only when all the data has arrived, will the data be burned to DISC.

The benefits?

Query & Build eliminates the time consuming requirement for a user to verify that each selected exam successfully transfers to the server. As soon as the user clicks the "BUILD" button, the next request can be processed.

Back-Up Profile

eXpedo automates the process of creating backup DICOM DVDs. User selectable criteria for exams to be backed up operates independently in the background as other CDs are being made. The SToR option is required, available in expandable RAID increments of 0.5-2 TB.

Data Back-Up Profiles can:

• Back-up data at specific time intervals and/or time of day.
• Back-up only when enough data has accumulated to fill a DVD.
• Back-up when enough data has accumulated to fill a DVD, but if this exceeds a specific time interval between backup, override the full DVD request and backup.
• Back-up for images acquired from a specific modality only.
• Back-up based on name of referring physician, or other configurations of multi-patient chronologically acquired exams.

Other Features: Practical

Easy-to-use and easy-to-understand user interface.

Multi-DICOM viewer support. An easy-to-use, feature-filled DICOM Viewer is embedded on every DISC, but may be substituted or supplemented with a viewer of choice.

Multiple custom label templates supported with automated management through DISCflow profiles.

Support of multiple formats for patient reference CDs. Any number of customized marketing- and healthcare-related information may be embedded in a CD’s contents using DISCflow profiles. Ideal for customer- and physician-specific targeted marketing.

Customizable reports to generate cost-savings estimates.

Single-command anonymization of images.

Ability to combine de-identified images of multiple patients on a single DISC.

Other Features: Standard Compliant

Real time monitoring of status of image and report retrieval of any job order.

Real-time ability to reprioritize job status order prioritization and (with multiple systems) change DISC production location. Move an order to the top of the queue -- fast!

With two or more eXpedo servers, automatic failover functionality and the ability to load-balance DISC production

Flexible Windows® and web enabled interface with user log-in allows instant, secure and HIPAA-compliant access to any eXpedo server on a network.

HIPAA-conformant viewable and searchable log of all CD/DVDs created, with site-customizable database. HIPAA conformant administrative management tools.

100% IHE PDI media creator/reader/importer profile conformant. 100% DICOM conformant.

Other Features: Intelligent

Intelligent comparison of number of images ordered in an exam, eliminating CD/DVD creation of incomplete orders. Especially important to insure the integrity of exams with large image datasets.

Intelligent job order completion monitoring and queue override. eXpedo burns a DISC as soon as it is complete, eliminating DISC-burner idle time and optimizing productivity.

Automated query of RIS for relevant reports and transfer of data into structured report format.

Smart media selection between CD and DVD format.

Multi-DISC intelligence customizable to user requirements. When the content of an order exceeds the capacity of a DISC, exams can be split at the series, study or exam level.

Other Features: Import Capable

Built-in importer that is fully IHE PDI Portable Media Importer Actor conformant.

Importer can create a new DICOM DISC from the import data by sending the images and/or reports to any existing DISCflow profile on the network. This enables data residing in a PACS to be combined with data from an external CD, a request often made by residents or research clinicians.

Importer can completely modify or change the contents of any DICOM field, a feature desirable when dealing with DICOM private tags.