Now that the holidays are over and the new year is underway, everyone has had ample time to process and digest their experiences at RSNA 2015. HCB News asked Rob Cascella, the CEO of Philips' Imaging Business Group, to jot down a few of the principle concepts that the show left him thinking about. Here are his thoughts on RSNA 2015:

Driving forces behind radiology's evolution

Radiology is no longer a peripheral department to support diagnosis; it is a central piece of today's connected health care ecosystem that plays a key role in prevention, diagnosis and treatment.



Adapting the traditional approach of how imaging works with specialties (e.g., neurology, cardiology and oncology) is a fundamental piece in the evolving role of radiology; radiology's role is no longer just to find the disease, but rather guide the entire treatment process. For example, Philips' IQon Spectral CT helps inform the treatment process by characterizing anatomic structures with simple, low-dose workflows, and also using imaging to determine the response to therapy. By gauging the response, clinicians can make necessary adjustments to help attain the best possible patient outcomes.

Improved data sharing and telemedicine services are allowing hospital systems to collaborate with radiology experts remotely, combining the power of advanced solutions with clinical expertise to offer patients world-class care from nearly anywhere.

For example, Philips' first Smart Device Ultrasound solution, Lumify, is offered as part of a novel subscription model unique to the industry, allowing providers to scale up/down their package (starting at introductory $199) to be in more places and in the hands of more users. Lumify uses cloud-enabled technology to connect with PACS, shared networks and system directories. Its data will be accessible on the Philips HealthSuite Digital Platform, allowing clinicians and health systems access to powerful data and analytics to help improve patient care.

Advanced Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) are key to driving these clinical insights and facilitating remote consults. UCHealth, an integrated delivery network of five hospitals in Colorado and more than 100 ambulatory locations, is using IntelliSpace PACs to consolidate and standardize its EHR, voice recognition systems, and PACS onto specialized platforms for radiology and cardiology. UCHealth projects a five year savings of $11.1 million, as well as improved workflow efficiencies, ready access to images for enhanced patient care, and a flexible and nimble structure poised to seamlessly connect with additional technologies.

RSNA 2015 Homepage