Showing posts with label diagnosis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diagnosis. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

911 to Operating Room: How Jack Imaging Expedites Treatment

The following is a hypothetical situation in an ER setting in which Jack Imaging proves to be an integral part of care that made a positive impact on patient outcomes.

The patient is a 20 year-old male involved in an altercation escalating to a penetrating gunshot wound to the right upper arm. Immediately following the gunshot, the dispatch transferred the patient to the nearest emergency room.


At the emergency room, an X-ray was ordered to determine the extent of the damage.


Radiograph revealed a complex fracture of the right upper humerus. The ER resident believed the extent of the damage warranted surgical intervention. In order to confirm the decision with an offsite ER Chief, the resident used Jack Imaging to securely share the case with the Chief. From her home office, the Chief logged onto Jack Imaging from a web browser and evaluated the X-ray, approving the course of action by sending a secure message back to the ER resident.


Because this small clinic hospital did not support complex orthopedic cases, the ER resident must transfer the patient to a larger hospital in order to get him into surgery within the next 12 hours. Again, he used Jack Imaging to forward the patient’s case to the receiving hospital to prep for the surgery ahead of time.  


While the patient was in transit, the orthopedic surgeons at the receiving center briefed themselves by reviewing the X-ray and the relevant patient history via Jack Imaging. Once the patient arrived, the surgeons were already familiar with the case and had mapped out the necessary procedure. The patient was successfully operated on with zero complications.


Jack Imaging provides a platform for efficient collaboration between care teams by securely sharing medical images and patient records. All of this culminates into delivering the most comprehensive care for the patient.

A free demo of Jack Imaging is available here. 

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Common Myths Regarding Second Opinions




Second opinions are unnecessary - FALSE
According to the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA), an estimated 10%-20% of cases are misdiagnosed. To compound the issue, almost 30% of diagnostic mistakes were life threatening or had resulted in death or permanent disability. 

These days, we seek multiple opinions prior to making any decision in our lives. There are publications, websites and media outlets dedicated to providing you with critical information prior to making a decision. Why should your healthcare be treated any differently?

Consult a specialist for a second opinion to verify the initial diagnosis and treatment plan, and be secure in your decision.

Also, ask for a second opinion if you are considering alternative treatment options. No one understands your health better than yourself, and you should speak with different specialists to find a course of treatment with the best possible outcome as well as the best fit for you.


Second opinions will just add to my medical bills – FALSE
Many insurance plans, including Medicare Part B will cover second opinion consults. In fact, Medicare Part B will even cover a third opinion if the first two opinions received differ.

Check with your insurance provider to make sure that you have coverage for second opinions.


My primary care physician will be upset if I ask for a second opinion - FALSE
The majority of physicians encourage their patients to seek multiple opinions prior to any big decisions.  According to University of Minnesota Oncologist Daniel Weisdorf, M.D., second opinions are “"a way of life" for physicians.


Having to seek a second opinion means that I have to get more tests done – FALSE
With Jack Imaging’s case management features, all of your medical records and images are securely stored and can be easily shared with specialists electronically. Your new provider may requests for new types of tests, but all previous exams and records can be shared to avoid repeat scans and tests.

Using Jack Imaging to consult with a specialist even eliminates the need for costly travel expenses. Receive a second opinion on diagnosis and/or treatment within a few days, all without having to leave your home.


Find out more at Jack Imaging.