gms | German Medical Science

Introduction: Using modern technology, it’s possible to process nearly all information needed in radiotherapy via computer. Unfortunately, some hand working ist necessary, for example to copy a DICOM image dataset on a planing workstation, or to get a digital image of the therapy simulator. As well as planing data, also the clinical data of the patient can be stored in a digital record, that can be accessed at different locations. Most of the technical decisions in radiotherapy are based on the clinical data, stored in that record.

Based on our Onkology Information System (OIS) - OnkoPath ® - we wanted to find a solution that is more focused on the needings of the user to improve our clinical workflow and datamanagement.

Material/Method: The reason for ineffective datamanagement are many vendor specific interfaces which force the user to utilise only the product line of a specific vendor. The variety of interaces and data storage should be integrated in a meta solution, that uses standard formats like DICOM, HL7, JPEG and a central storage method. Integrated in the OIS any image or planing data can be accessed at any workstation of the department. The reason for an ineffective workflow can be a lack of standards in treatment and follow up. OnkoPath ® can store prescriptions for any treatment in libraries and has forms for first contact, toxic reaction and follow up.

Results: Integrated in OnkoPath®, the datamanagement module recieves for example DICOM data from CT. The user defines what has to be done with the data: e.g. contouring, planing with OTP ® , simulation, and finaly transfer to the linac. Most technical methods belong to clinical prescriptions and can be stored in the RT-libraries. One selection – the prescription – can generate many steps integrated in a suitable clinical as well as treatment planing workflow. Meanwhile we have quite experience with libraries and clinical pathways, because we use OnkoPath ® since January 2000. The information system was updated over the years. Since the year 2000, all our patients are stored in digital records, a good condition for data mining.

Conclusion: The advantage of a software concept that is focused on clinical workflow is not only the global access to any patient data and images in the department, but also increased effectivity of workintersive transfer processes. The medical pathways, forms and prescription libraries have a high potential as an instrument of quality assurance.

Figure 1 [Fig. 1].