A radiology information system (RIS) is a computerized database used by radiology departments to store, manipulate and distribute patient radiological data and imagery. The system generally consists of patient tracking and scheduling, result reporting and image tracking capabilities. RIS complements HIS (Hospital Information Systems) and are critical to efficient workflow to radiology practices.

Radiology information syastems commonly support the following features:

• Patient Registration and scheduling
• Patient List Management
• Interface with modality via Worklist.
• Radiology Department workflow management
• Request and document scanning
• Result(s) Entry
• Reporting and printout
• Result(s) Delivery including faxing and e-mailing of clinical reports
• Patient Tracking
• Interactive Documents
• Technical Files Creation
• Modality and Material management

In addition a RIS often supports the following:

• Appointment booking
• PACS workflow
• Custom report creation
• HL7 interfaces with a PACS. HL7 also enables communication between HIS and RIS in addition to RIS and PACS.
• Billing
• Rule engines

RIS Feature Highlights

• Automatic split billing: Charges are automatically split for the technical and professional components of radiology billing.
• Automated billing: Fully-integrated billing, collections and revenue cycle management
• Full EDI capabilities: Electronic claim submission, remittance and eligibility verification
• Advanced scheduler: Multi-modality scheduling, insurance eligibility verification, pre-certification lists.
• Customized workflow: Complete control and oversight of the flow of patients and information through the facility, fully customizable.
• Digital transcription: Recording for manual transcription and voice recognition transcription systems
• Mammography tracking: Record and track BIRADS findings and biopsy results, and produce ACR statistical reports
• Management reporting: Revenue, referral and productivity reports
• Scanning: Integrated document and image scanning
• HL7 compliant: Integrates with all industry-standard external records systems
• DICOM worklists: Provides study and demographic information to the the modalities
• Referring physician Web portal: Request appointments, view appointment lists, view images via PACS, view medical reports
• Patient Web portal: Patients can fill out forms, make payments and request appointments - all online