The retention duration of digital images in picture archiving and communication systems.

Introduction: Every year, a large number of medical images such as MRIs, CT scans, and radiographs are prepared in hospitals, and a lot of money is spent on their preparation. Picture archiving and communication system (PACS) is an integrated image management system for maintaining and storing digital images. The objective of this study was to determine the storage duration of digital images in PACS. Methods: This was a scoping review study in which we searched the PubMed and Embase databases using a combination of terms related to radiography, storage, and duration. The reference lists of included articles were checked to identify other relevant articles. Moreover, we searched Google to retrieve relevant gray literature and other information sources including guidelines. The selection process was carried out in three stages and was reported based on the PRISMA flowchart and the data were extracted using the data collection form. Results: Based on the database search 2867 articles were identified, of which 13 articles were eligible for inclusion. Searching for gray literature identified 7 relevant sources. The results showed that based on the institutions' plans and regulations, different countries have different storage policies. In general, to store images between 6 and 240 months for short-term storage and between 0 and 240 months for long-term storage were considered. Conclusion: Due to financial constraints and storage space requirements, healthcare organizations can provide a solution by drafting guidelines on the appropriate storage duration for medical images. The findings of this study can assist healthcare authorities and healthcare centers in employing PACS systems to manage and minimize storage space for medical images, thereby reducing storage costs.

Usability evaluation of emergency information systems in educational hospitals in Kerman, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Smart and practical health information systems and applications with fewer errors are crucial for healthcare facilities. One method that ensures the proper design of health information systems (HIS) and applications is usability evaluation. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the usability of the emergency information systems used at the emergency departments of four educational hospitals in Kerman, Iran. METHOD: This study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, the information systems' errors and shortages were identified using a semi-structured questionnaire by users (nurses and the IT staff). In the second phase, based on the results of the first phase, two questionnaires were designed for each group of users to their opinions about the usability of the emergency information systems. RESULTS: The average score of "reducing and facilitating user's daily activities" was significantly different among hospitals (p = 0.03). Shahid Beheshti Hospital obtained the lowest usability score (17.5), and Afzalipour Hospital received the highest usability score (21.75). Moreover, the average score in "use of the HIS" for nurses and IT staff was 2.93 and 3.54 on a scale of 5, respectively. CONCLUSION: Usability evaluation of health information systems is essential to ensure that these systems provide sufficient and accurate information and requirements for users and health care providers. Also, modifying health information systems based on the user views and expectations improves the quality of the system and user-system Interaction.

The use of various appointment systems among patients visiting academic outpatient centers in Kerman and the evaluation of patients' perspective and satisfaction.

BACKGROUND: To optimize appointment systems, it is necessary to assess their users' perspectives. This study aims to determine the use of various appointment systems among patients in academic outpatient centers and to investigate their perspectives and satisfaction. METHODS: This survey study was conducted on 332 patients or those accompanying patients in academic outpatient centers. A five-part questionnaire consisting of (1) demographic information, (2) willingness to use systems, (3) problems when using these systems, (4) problems after reserving the appointment, (5) recommendations and critics was used. The relationship between the system of interest and the available tools was examined by the Chi-square test, and the relationship between demographic characteristics and satisfaction was assessed using multiple regression. RESULTS: The participants' overall satisfaction towards appointment systems, regardless of the type of system, was 49.12 ± 16.04 (out of 100). Satisfaction with the appointment system using Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) was significantly higher than the other two systems (p = 0.03). Web-based application and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) were the most frequently used systems with 61% and 48%, respectively. More than half of those who had access to a telephone (56%) preferred the IVR appointment system, and most of those who had Internet access (71%) preferred the web-based application (p < 0.05). Among 137 participants who had access to both the Internet and telephone, 49% (n = 67) stated that they would rather arrange their appointment through the web-based application. CONCLUSION: The web-based application and IVR are the most frequently used and favorable appointment system among the patients or those accompanying patients. Despite the availability of the infrastructure, the participant had moderate satisfaction with these systems due to their failures. Therefore, to have more efficient systems and increase patients or those accompanying patients satisfaction with these systems, healthcare authorities should have a plan to solve the problems of these systemes and use the capacity of information resources to inform the community regarding these systems.