The world of radiology is constantly evolving, and with it come new measures and standards to ensure patient safety and high-quality diagnostic imaging.
One such measure that has recently been implemented by CMS is the CMS1074 Excessive Radiation Dose or Inadequate Image Quality for Diagnostic Computed Tomography (CT) in Adults measure. This measure will be reported as an inpatient and outpatient measure. In this blog post, we will delve into this new measure and understand the need for translation software.
To comprehend the changes taking place, it's essential to familiarize ourselves with the language used in radiology. In the past, imaging devices and storage systems were not interoperable, making it difficult to share and access images. However, the development of the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) language in the early 1990s revolutionized the field. DICOM enabled the digitization of images, making them accessible on any computer or system via teleradiology. This eliminated the need for physical films and allowed for seamless sharing and storage of radiological images.
The CMS1074 measure involves three systems, each playing a crucial role in ensuring accurate and safe diagnostic imaging. The first system is the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), which provides storage and access to radiological images such as CT scans, MRI scans, ultrasound scans, and X-rays. The second system is the Radiology Information System (RIS), where procedures are scheduled, patient information is stored, and exams are logged. Finally, the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system is used for comprehensive patient care, including documentation, medication administration, reporting, lab results, and orders.
While PACS and RIS systems communicate using the DICOM language, EHR and Electronic Clinical Quality Measures (eCQMs) utilize the Health Level 7 (HL7) language. HL7 is a set of clinical standards and messaging formats that facilitate the exchange of electronic information across different healthcare systems. This language barrier poses a challenge as the two systems need to communicate effectively to ensure accurate reporting and measurement calculation.
Just as a language interpreter facilitates communication between two individuals who speak different languages, there is a need for an interpreter in the world of radiology. This is where the translation software plays a role as it understands both DICOM and HL7 languages. The software bridges the gap and facilitates seamless communication between the PACS/RIS systems and the EHR/eCQMs.
The measure steward for the CMS1074 measure is Alara Imaging, Inc. They have developed software that acts as a translator, converting DICOM information into a format that can be accessed and utilized for eCQM reporting. This software plays a crucial role in ensuring accurate measure computation, providing measure results, and facilitating vendor submission to CMS.
As radiology enters a new era with the first eCQM and CMS reporting, it is essential to understand the components involved and the challenges posed by the language barrier between DICOM and HL7. With the help of innovative software solutions, the seamless integration of these systems becomes possible, ensuring accurate reporting for these CMS measures.
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