Authors (including presenting author) :
Chan E(1), Lee L(2), Li A (1), Ngar D (2), Tse HF(1), Wong YC (1), Xiao L(2)
Affiliation :
(1)Department of Radiology, (2) Department of Oncology, Tuen Mun Hospital
Introduction :
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a useful diagnostic test for patients with various kinds of medical problems. More and more patients with Implanted Cardiac Pacemakers and Defibrillators can safely undergone MRI which has long been considered dangerous. However, patients with implanted cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators who need an MRI must have their device fully checked, tested and programmed before entering the MRI room and after the MR examination. Implanted cardiac device (ICD) specialists should be notified and reminded to provide on-site assistance just before patient’s MRI scan. In order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the communication to inform the ICD specialists, automation survey and reminder system is built in our cluster.
Objectives :
(1)To improve the efficiency of the communication to the ICD specialists
(2)To reduce the potential for errors
(3)To maintain the communication better organized and more responsive and the ICD specialists have a greater awareness.
(4)To minimize rate of MRI case rebook due to absence of ICD specialists.
Methodology :
Python Script was used to control RIS through GUI automation to detect scheduled MRI case for patient with implanted cardiac device. If scheduled MRI for patient with implanted cardiac device was detected, the pacemaker information will be recorded from GCRS request form and sent to SQL database. The request from information including request no, pacemaker mode, scheduled MR appointment date and patient name will be automatically emailed to related stakeholder’s mailbox. Then VBA code used to split the email for each patient and retrieve the sales information from excel database. The letter is automatically sent to ICD specialists and ask for double check of the MR safety issues and scheduled MR appointment confirmation. The ICD specialists will also be informed to help the patient for pacemaker fine-tuning during MR examination according to the scheduled MR appointment listed in the email. There will also a 3-day-before reminder mail to ICD specialists for further notification.
Result & Outcome :
The email automation workflows to remind the ICD specialist to help the patients with implanted cardiac devices during MR examination have been built in our cluster. Sending email to ICD specialists for scheduled MRI appointment automatically is quite effective and the workflow is greatly improved. The potential for errors is highly avoided.
