HSUAN-LING CHEN , Medical Radiation Technologist, Dept. of Medical Imaging

MEI-YIN LIN , Medical Radiation Technologist, Dept. of Medical Imaging

The Department of Medical Imaging at National Cheng Kung University Hospital (NCKUH) has successfully implemented an intelligent Radiology Information System (RIS), integrating the Hospital Information System (HIS), Electronic Medical Records (EMR), Laboratory Information System (LIS), and Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) to establish a smart imaging healthcare platform centered on patient safety and efficiency.

By incorporating Single Sign-On (SSO), automated cross-system data integration, and real-time alert mechanisms let the system reduce the need for manual data retrieval and frequent switching between platforms. These enhancements streamline workflow processes and elevates overall service quality in medical imaging.

In terms of patient safety, the system strengthens contrast media allergy alerts with multi-layered notification mechanisms. It also incorporates special patient status indicators, and maintains comprehensive allergy records to prevent repeated administration of known allergenic contrast agents. In 2024 alone, the system successfully intercepted eight high-risk re-exposure incidents, substantially enhancing medication safety.

The system has reduced the time from patient check-in to pre-examination preparation dropped from 1,055 seconds to just 460 seconds. It has improved preparation times for CT and MRI examinations by 29.81% and 18.57%, respectively. The self-service check-in system enables patients to complete registration in about two seconds on average, reducing waiting times and optimizing examination workflows.

A post-implementation user satisfaction survey showed that physicians, radiologic technologists, and administrative staff widely acknowledged the system’s effectiveness in reducing workload and improving operational efficiency. Patients also reported markedly improved healthcare experiences, with simplified procedures and shorter waiting times.

The platform integrates AI-assisted image interpretation and a critical value pre-notification mechanism to enhance diagnostic efficiency and ensure timely communication of urgent findings. Overall, this intelligent RIS has improved healthcare quality and safety, demonstrating strong potential for broader adoption and replication.

Figure 1. The RIS connects the HIS, EMR, LIS, and PACS through Single Sign-On and automated data linkage to build a comprehensive digital imaging ecosystem.

Figure 2. AI automatically analyzes breast imaging, generates scores and heatmaps, and integrates results into the RIS reporting platform to support rapid physician interpretation.