Vista Imaging Vista Routing manual Routing Overview, Routing Explained

Routing Overview

This chapter explains how routing functions within the VistA Imaging system. It covers the following topics:

ƒRouting Explained

ƒHow Autorouting Works

ƒHow On-Demand Routing Works

ƒHow Routing Priority Works

Routing Explained

In VistA Imaging, routing is the combination of methods and software used to identify and transmit exams produced at one site to a storage location at another site.

Routing takes two forms: autorouting, and on-demand routing.

ƒIn autorouting, automatically selected images are transmitted to one or more destinations. Images are selected based on a predefined set of routing rules. Autorouting functions are managed using the Routing Gateway.

ƒIn on-demand routing, manually selected exams are transmitted to one or more destinations. Exams are selected using the VistARad diagnostic workstation and are transmitted by the Routing Gateway.

Destinations of routed images fall into two broad groups. Imaging destinations are defined to support remote reading using a VistARad workstation. Images sent to these destinations are in VistA Imaging’s internal file format. DICOM destinations are defined to support transmission of DICOM images to a Storage SCP (Service Class Provider), such as a film printer or an external PACS.

A properly implemented routing system can streamline a site’s imaging workflow. Scenarios where routing can be used include:

ƒWorkload sharing between institutions or service providers

ƒRapid access of exams at remote clinics or other facilities

ƒRemote specialist interpretation or consultation

ƒOff-hours, holiday, or emergency services

ƒOff-site contract radiology services for primary interpretation

April 2006 VistA Imaging V. 3.0, Patch 18 1