KANSAS CITY, Mo., Aug. 4, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the number of mammograms performed in the U.S. continues to rise, radiologists are seeking out new technologies to help them effectively review these complex imaging studies. According to the American Cancer Society, the number of women age 40 and above who have received a mammogram in the past two years has grown from 29 percent in 1987 to 70 percent in the year 2000. To help radiologists efficiently interpret the growing number of mammography images, Cerner (Nasdaq:CERN) has created the ProVision(tm) Workstation - Mammography solution, which recently received 510(k) pre-market clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is now available in North America.
"Efficiency is taking on an even greater importance as the demand increases for radiologists to interpret the ever-growing numbers and types of imaging studies," said John Hansen, Cerner vice president of imaging solutions. "With the FDA 510(k) clearance for Cerner ProVision Workstation - Mammography solution, we can provide radiologists with a comprehensive mammography solution designed to help them view mammography images more efficiently and effectively."
When radiologists review images, they typically use separate viewers to study images like X-ray or CT scans and mammography images. The ProVision Workstation - Mammography solution eliminates the need for separate general imaging and mammography viewers, reducing the inefficiencies and delays created when using different viewing systems. Radiologists can view all imaging modalities, including MR, PT, US, CT, XR, XA and MG, and the patient's electronic health record (EHR) from one workstation. By breaking the traditional model of dedicated mammography and general radiology workstations, Cerner is maximizing radiologists' efficiency and increasing the imaging department throughput.
A fully integrated mammography workstation benefits radiologists and their patients by:
* Supporting comprehensive patient care by allowing
radiologists to view the patient's medical history and
side-by-side comparisons of all types of images from one
workstation;
* Facilitating more efficient and accurate reading of images
by allowing radiologists to customize the layout,
presentation and viewing order of images; and
* Decreasing the time it takes to find patient image studies
for analysis through the use of a programmable input device
that allows radiologists to find the relevant image in just
one click.
Cerner's radiology solutions, including the RadNet(r) - Mammo Case Maintenance solution and the ProVision PACS(tm) solution, create an uninterrupted link between patient images and the EHR. The ProVision PACS solution offers the complete range of image management solutions, including image acquisition, storage, display and Web distribution services. The Cerner ProVision Workstation - Mammography solution further streamlines radiology workflow by eliminating duplicate efforts caused by disparate mammography systems, providing maximum efficiency for radiologists and optimized patient outcomes.
About Cerner
Cerner is transforming healthcare by eliminating error, variance and waste for healthcare providers and consumers around the world. Cerner(r) solutions optimize processes for healthcare organizations ranging in size from single-doctor practices, to health systems, to entire countries, for the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, and for the healthcare commerce system. These solutions are licensed by more than 8,000 facilities around the world, including approximately 2,100 hospitals; 3,300 physician practices covering more than 30,000 physicians; 500 ambulatory facilities, such as laboratories, ambulatory centers, cardiac facilities, radiology clinics and surgery centers; 600 home-health facilities; and 1,500 retail pharmacies. The following are trademarks of Cerner: Cerner, Cerner's logo, ProVision Workstation, ProVision PACS and RadNet. Nasdaq:CERN. For more information about Cerner, please visit our Web site at www.cerner.com.