Radiology
& Imaging
The Radiology module manages medical imaging—X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, and other diagnostic imaging. It handles everything from ordering the scan to capturing the images, storing them securely, and delivering the radiologist's report to the patient's record.
What is Radiology Management?
Radiology Management handles all diagnostic imaging procedures. It managesimaging orders from doctors, modality scheduling(which machine is available when), image acquisition & storage(DICOM format for medical images), radiologist reporting(the specialist's interpretation of the images), and result deliveryto the referring doctor and patient.
The system integrates with the hospital's PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) to store and retrieve images, and supports DICOM (the international standard for medical imaging) for interoperability with imaging equipment from any manufacturer.
Why Does It Exist?
Medical imaging produces large, sensitive files that need specialized handling. Without a proper system:
- → Lost images — CDs and USB drives get misplaced, losing critical diagnostic data
- → Delayed reports — Paper-based reporting slows down the entire diagnostic process
- → No comparison — Without digital archives, comparing current scans to previous ones is difficult
- → Access issues — Only one person can view a physical film at a time
How Imaging Works
Order & Schedule
A doctor orders an imaging study (e.g., "Chest X-ray PA view" or "MRI Brain with contrast"). The radiology desk schedules the patient on the appropriate modality (X-ray machine, CT scanner, MRI).
Image Capture
The radiologic technologist performs the scan. Images are captured digitally in DICOM format and sent directly to the PACS archive. Patient details are embedded in the image metadata to prevent mix-ups.
Radiologist Reading
A radiologist reviews the images on a diagnostic workstation. They dictate or type their interpretation (findings, impression, recommendations). The report is drafted and linked to the images.
Report Delivery
The radiologist verifies and signs the report. It becomes available in the referring doctor's dashboard and the patient's clinical timeline. If critical findings were noted, the ordering doctor receives an immediate notification.
Every Feature Explained
DICOM Image Management
Medical images stored in the DICOM format, the international standard.
Ensures images from any manufacturer's equipment can be viewed and shared.
Images are stored in a DICOM-compliant archive. Viewers can display them with zoom, measurement, and comparison tools.
PACS Integration
Connection to the hospital's Picture Archiving and Communication System.
PACS provides long-term archival, fast retrieval, and multi-user access to images.
Images are pushed to PACS at acquisition. The system retrieves them for viewing via DICOM query/retrieve protocols.
Structured Reporting
Radiologists write reports using structured templates.
Ensures reports are complete, consistent, and include all necessary elements.
Templates guide the radiologist through anatomy, findings, impression, and recommendations. Reports can include measurements from images.
Critical Finding Alerts
Urgent or unexpected findings trigger immediate notifications.
Some findings (e.g., a pulmonary embolism on a CT) need immediate clinical action.
Radiologists mark reports as "Critical" during dictation. The system alerts the ordering doctor via notification and dashboard banner.
Multi-Modality Support
Works with X-ray, CT, MRI, Ultrasound, Fluoroscopy, Mammography, and more.
Different clinical questions need different imaging techniques.
Each modality type is configured with its own protocols, typical image counts, and reporting templates.
PACS
Governance
Imaging data is managed via PACS, ensuring lossless transfer and multi-institutional consistency with DICOM standards.
Technical Architecture
| Field | Type | Institutional Role |
|---|---|---|
| id | UUID | Unique identifier for the imaging report. |
| modality | Varchar(32) | Equipment type (MRI, CT, XR, US, Mammography). |
| pacs_uid | Varchar(128) | Universal DICOM archival identifier. |
| interpretation | Text | Radiologist's diagnostic findings and impression. |
Note: Sensitive fields use AES-256 field-level encryption where applicable.
Governance & Power
radiology:viewradiology:orderradiology:manageclinical:viewDICOM Sync Logic
The system uses a high-velocity gateway to ingest DICOM files directly from clinical modalities, auto-associating images with the patient's institutional MRN.
Clinical Reporting
Transmission
Images are synced to the radiologist's diagnostic workstation.
Annotation
Key diagnostic findings are tagged and measured in the viewer.
Release
Report is finalized and pushed to the patient's EMR and referring doctor.
Critical findings trigger a high-priority alert on the referring physician's dashboard.