QMS - Bringing it All Together
Note: This supplement is best understood when reviewed within the context of sections 4.0 and 5.0 of the QAISys Concepts page.
QAISys, Inc. is developing a subscription-based web application called QMS (QAISys® Management System) which will function as the central embodiment of the QAISys® process. QMS will:
- Facilitate manual data inputs and management (Implementation Tasks 1-5)
- Receive data directly from RIS/PACS – automating inputs (Implementation Tasks 1-5)
- Facilitate data analysis, report generation, and report distribution (Implementation Tasks 6-8)
- Produce global ratings and incorporate them as benchmarks into individual account analyses
QMS will be a convenient, cost-effective, and scalable quality management solution appropriate for all sizes and configurations of medical imaging organizations. It will accomplish this by facilitating all three of the implementation models presented in section 4.0 (RIS/PACS-integrated, RIS-integrated, and Stand-alone).
Subscribers’ experience will be similar to what many of us have become accustomed to with online banking. Each medical imaging organization will have an account in the QMS. The administrator of the organization’s account will be able to authorize various levels of access according to the needs of the organization.
Facilitate Manual Data Inputs and Management
QMS will provide an efficient manual data entry interface similar to the CEII that is illustrated in section 4.231 (pages 30-31). Our current case studies have shown that manual entry of completed exams can be practical for large exam volumes when a RIS is able to produce a report listing completed exams grouped and sorted according to: 1) date; 2) performing technologist; and 3) exam-type. This is due to the fact that the CEII automatically repeats the demographics of the previous entry thus allowing the user to quickly make multiple entries of exams with like demographics.
QMS will also provide an interface for assigning Dissatisfaction Values similar to the DVII illustrated insection 4.232 (pages 31-35).
Receive Data Directly From RIS/PACS
QMS will be able to receive Completed Exams data directly from RIS/PACS via standard Web services protocols. This will automate input of Completed Exams data as described in section 4.211 (page 25-26). At the discretion of the developer and the imaging organization, this data may include “time of exam” and “age of patient” as additional exam demographics that will increase the analytical capabilities of the system.
QMS will offer an internal DVII enabling managers to enter Dissatisfaction Values directly into their accounts. However, QMS will also be able to receive Dissatisfaction Value input from external DVIIs whether they reside on PACS workstations, PDAs, or stand-alone applications via standard Web services protocols.
Facilitate Data Analysis, Report Generation, and Report Distribution
QMS will incorporate a robust, intuitive data analysis interface that enables subscribers to quickly and easily gain useful information from the rich data environment created by the QAISys® process. QMS will also include a reporting format that effectively facilitates QR/QRw Trending as illustrated in section 3.122 (pages 10-13). QMS will then make it simple to distribute these and other reports via email.
Produce Global Data for Analysis and Integrated Benchmarks
QMS will provide all of the functionality and benefits of the GDC described in section 5.0 (pages 38-41) including production of Global Data for analysis and Benchmarking. However, the new QMS model is superior to the original GDC model in that with QMS there is only one central database with which subscribers interact directly. GDC design required an exchange of data between a global database and individual end-user database applications. QMS will make for much more efficient transactions which will cause benchmarking data to be available in near real-time for comparisons with individual account analyses.
QMS – Making QAISys® Available ASAP
The QMS design will be:
ACCESSIBLE in that it will be available on line and will allow manual data inputs. This enables any organization to begin utilizing the QAISys® process to manage image quality at any time.
SCALABLE in that it will also receive data directly from the RIS/PACS enabling efficient management of very large exam volumes.
AFFORDABLE since it will be available on a subscription basis at a low per-use or per-exam price rate. This pricing model effectively accommodates organizations with low exam volumes and eliminates having a large up-front expense. 
PRACTICAL in that subscribers will not have to worry about installing or upgrading software applications. Users will simply log in and immediately use the system to enter, manage, analyze, and communicate image quality data.
Supplement to: QAISys® – Comprehensive Quality Management in Medical Imaging
Richard B. Dale, © 2006; Patents Pending 11/125527 and 11/178082