Web application for diagnostic radiology

• Main Author: Chua, Ben Wei Jun
• Other Authors: Lin Feng
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Computer science and engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/59182
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

With more consumers aware of the benefits of preventive care and greater demands of medical imaging due to the increase in the aging population and chronic diseases, the global forecast of the diagnostic imaging market is expected to grow from $20.7 billion in 2010 to $26.6 billion in 2016. In recent years, key manufactures are looking to provide solutions that improve safety and ease operations using the medical imaging devices. This has resulted in an increased life expectancy in the United States as death can be prevented from early detection of diseases. Due to this rising trend and an influx of digital imagery, there is a need for Radiology Information System (RIS) which is used by the Diagnostic Radiology department to manage patient radiological images and past medical history. Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) is often used in conjunction to establish a secure network for transmission of patient information which interfaces between the RIS and medical imaging devices. From previous research and case studies, it can be seen that implementing RIS and PACS into a diagnostic radiology department can have various positive impacts including financial benefits. The World Wide Web (WWW) is widely available today and a user will only need a web browser which is conveniently accessible through a desktop computer or mobile device to connect to the Internet. The connections to a web application can be established through a web address which uses Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) for data communication. Therefore, building a web application for Diagnostic Radiology with the functions of RIS can yield benefits in workflow improvements, enhancing operational efficiencies and bringing convenience for the users. The primary objective of the project is to build the web application to manage radiology practices based on the functional and non-functional requirements elicited on the 3 major user groups (Patient, Referring Physician and Radiologist). The development process is based on an iterative SDLC approach and everything is documented in this report from requirements analysis, system design, implementation and testing. System design includes Use Case Design, Use Case Descriptions, Database Design, Webpage Navigation and Activity Diagrams. Implementation includes programming methodology and addressing the non-functional requirements. Testing shows the various strategies used to ensure the application is running without error. Lastly suggestions of future works where the web application can improve on, has also been discussed.