Sound Bites From SIIM 2010
By Ken Congdon, editor in chief, Health IT Outcomes
Two months ago, Health IT Outcomes (HTO) attended it's first ever SIIM (Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine) Annual Meeting. The conference, which was held in Minneapolis June 3-6, brings physicians, PACS/RIS administrators, healthcare IT decision makers, and vendors together to explore the dynamic field of medical imaging informatics. SIIM 2010 included a robust lineup of educational sessions, numerous attendee/vendor networking opportunities, a vendor exhibit hall, and an "Innovation Theater" where new product demonstrations and industry panel discussions were held.
Unlike the sometimes hectic environments typically encountered at the HIMSS (Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society) and RSNA (Radiological Society of North America) annual conferences, the SIIM show had an almost laid-back feel to it that was a refreshing change of pace. Because the audience at SIIM is so targeted, exhibitors have time for extensive one-on-one conversations with customers, prospects, and even members of the media like myself. HTO decided to take advantage of this opportunity to get some burning medical imaging questions answered by the industry's brightest minds. I mean, when else are you going to have a captive audience of key executives from some of medical imaging's most respected vendors?
Our conversations with SIIM exhibitors covered a wide range of topics including, key medical imaging challenges facing healthcare organizations, best practices for imaging informatics interoperability, and the latest imaging technology trends. The responses we received were so enlightening, we decided to compile the best quotes into a four-part editorial series titled Sound Bites From SIIM 2010: Medical Imaging Challenges, Best Practices & Trends. The first installment of this series, titled What's The Biggest Challenge In Medical Imaging?, is included in this week's email newsletter. The remaining installments will appear in sequential order in HTO's next three weekly email newsletters, so stay tuned. We hope these insights from key vendor executives will provide you with the direction you need to support your medical imaging and informatics initiatives.
Read Part I: What's The Biggest Challenge In Medical Imaging?