State-of-the-art "digital health information technology" at Highline Medical Center is enhancing patient care and providing more convenient services.

The medical imaging technology, known as a "picture archiving and communication system," makes patient images and diagnostic reports available electronically to radiologists and other caregivers.

This augments the ability of health service providers to make faster, more informed treatment decisions. It also reduces film expenses.

"Our goal is to deliver quality care in the most effective manner," said radiologist David Henley, M.D. "This powerful technology dramatically improves imaging processes by significantly reducing wait time for patients, staff and physicians.

"Patient images are sent electronically to a workstation, where a radiologist reviews them. The reports and images are then available to authorized physicians within Highline Medical Center's system."

Highline chose market-leading Horizon Medical Imaging(tm) from McKesson Corp. for its picture archiving and communication system.

Highline Medical Center uses this system to store and distribute MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), CT (multi-slice computed tomography), ultrasound, nuclear medicine, angiography, computed radiography (CR) and digital radiography (DR) images that previously were printed on film.

Physicians and medical center staff now have secure access to these critical diagnostic tools much more easily, via secure, encrypted computer linkages in their offices and at workstations around the medical center.

"Our [system] implementation is one of the first steps toward creating electronic medical records at Highline Medical Center", said Henley.

"By incorporating images and clinical information in an electronic format, caregivers gain faster access to information to make diagnoses and identify treatment options. This technology enhances patient care dramatically."

McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 15th on the FORTUNE 500, is a health care services and information technology company. Its products help customers deliver high-quality health care by reducing costs, streamlining processes, and improving the quality and safety of patient care.