MGH - Department of Radiology - Radiology Information Systems FAQs

Frequenty Asked Questions Regarding:

Attn Users: We are in process of transitioning Folio to a new program called RadMine (June 2006) contact Brian Minich for more information

PC / Desktop
Talk Technology
Web Image Viewer / Amicas
IDX
PACS / AGFA

PC / Desktop

What is Folio and what is it used for?
Where do I find information on how to use Folio?
Who do I call for Talkstation, desktop or laptop support?
Who do I page for support of Talkstation or IDX off hours?

Q: What is Folio and what is it used for?
A: Folio is a text based search engine that radiologists can use to build teaching files or look up reports on certain Exam Codes etc.

Q: Where do I find information on how to use Folio?
A: Call / page Brian Minich or James Lemieux for training.

Q: Who do I call for Talkstation, desktop or laptop support?
A: Page the support pager: 38495

Q: Who do I page for support of Talkstation or IDX off hours?
A: Page the support pager: 38495

Talk Technology - James Lemieux

Why does TalkStation say "Order not on file" when IDXRad lists the study in "C" status?
The system’s running slowly. The text takes a LONG time to go onto the screen after I speak the words. How do I fix it? Or… the Commands are taking ages to complete. When I speak a command, it just hangs interminably before executing.
The microphone, or the keyboard, or the mouse spontaneously stops working. What do I do?
Dr logs on to TS and (a) the mic button does nothing and (b) the Start Dictate button doesn’t appear on left side of monitor.
My voice recognition accuracy is awful, only on this one machine. And/or: this one machine does not take my commands very well (or at all).

Q: Why does TalkStation say "Order not on file" when IDXRad lists the study in "C" status?
A: There are two answers. The first applies to the situation when one isolated Acc# does not come up. In this case it’s usually because the Technologist completes the study, but fails to exit IDXRad correctly (F10’ing his/her way out). The solution is to have the technologist un-complete the study and then re-complete it correctly.

The second, recently very common reason relates to when multiple Acc #s do not come up (EVERY number in fact). This is because a radiologist who read TeleRad cases on the given TS workstation prior to the moment, FAILED to switch the Site drop-down switch back to "Site 1." Look in the lower right corner of the monitor. To read MGH cases, the switch must be at "Site 1." To read TeleRad cases it’s "TeleRad."

Q: The system’s running slowly. The text takes a LONG time to go onto the screen after I speak the words. How do I fix it? Or… the Commands are taking ages to complete. When I speak a command, it just hangs interminably before executing.
A: In the case of "lagging text" (the first issue), there are two fixes, one longer to do but more effective.

The quick fix is to go to the Tools menu at Top Screen and select/execute "Reset Speech Engin.

The longer-to-accomplish" (but really not that long) is ALSO the FIX for the second problem, the slow-to-execute Commands. This is to log out of TS. Shut TS down (not the whole workstation, just THIS application), then restart TS, log back on, and you should be all set.

Q: The microphone, or the keyboard, or the mouse spontaneously stops working. What do I do?
A: If it’s just the microphone, log out of TS and shut the application down, not the whole computer. Restart TS, and log back on. If the keyboard and/or mouse is the problem, then you’ll likely have to totally shut down the computer, restart it and log back on.

Q: Dr logs on to TS and (a) the mic button does nothing and (b) the Start Dictate button doesn’t appear on left side of monitor.
A: The Speech Engine has failed to start. Log off. Log back on again.

Q: My voice recognition accuracy is awful, only on this one machine. And/or: this one machine does not take my commands very well (or at all).
A: Two, possibly interrelated causes. As you are speaking into the microphone, take note of the volume that is showing in the microphone symbol in the lower left of the monitor. If it is constantly full red when speaking, and solidly in the green even when not speaking, then your volume is too loud.

The user’s fix is to re-adjust his/her volume within TS. This is done by going to Edit -> User Preferences-> Audio Wizard. In Audio Wizard, follow the prompts including clicking "Handheld Microphone," and a succession of "Nexts." You will read two short pieces (10-15 seconds) to reset your volume after which you MUST click the "Save" button just below the "OK" button on the right of the User Preferences screen (NOT the save button that’s in File on the top left of the whole screen.) Click the "OK" button and exit this screen. IF this fails to lower your volume to a point where it’s mostly green and just pops into the red, the volume controls that are part of the computer’s operating system must be reset. Call your "Systems Administrator," (Roberto DaSilva or Rania Omar.)

Web Image Viewer / Amicas - Brian S. Murphy ( Biography )

How can I access images from my home computer?
How can I get Amicas installed on my PC?
How do I get CAS installed on my machine?
Whom do I call to get Amicas/CAS training?
Is the Amicas system down? / Is Amicas working today?

Q: How can I access images from my home computer?
A: Contact Brian Murphy @ 6-8331 for information on how to access images from home.

Q: How can I get Amicas installed on my PC?
A: To schedule an Amicas install, email bsmurphy@partners.org or call 6-8331

Q: How do I get CAS installed on my machine?
A: All requests for CAS should be directed to the Partners help desk or email bsmurphy@partners.org with your Partners user name.

Q: Whom do I call to get Amicas/CAS training?
A: For Amicas /CAS training send an email to bsmurphy@partners.org

Q: Is the Amicas system down? / Is Amicas working today?
A: All Amicas technical emergencies related to Amicas should be directed to pager ID#30581.

IDX - Michelle Baxter

Who is your key giver?
Whom should I contact for an IDXrad question?
Who should I contact for help with Crystal Reports?

Q: Who is your key giver?
A: Please call Chenet Nerette at 4-8556 or Pager ID 28097

Q: Whom should I contact for an IDXrad question?
A: Please calls Chenet Nerette at 4-8556 or Pager ID 28097

Q: Who should I contact for help with Crystal Reports?
A: Please calls Chenet Nerette at 4-8556 or Pager ID 28097

PACS / AGFA - Mary-Theresa Shore ( Biography )

What does PACS stand for?
As a technologist, what do I need to know about PACS?
Are there always PACS Team members on site? What hours do they work?
Do I need a special password to log into a PACS workstation?
How does Amicas and PACS differ?

Q: What does PACS stand for?
A: Picture Archiving and Communication System

Q: As a technologist, what do I need to know about PACS?
A: PACS is the system used by Radiologists to interpret images. Technologists play a critical role in ensuring radiologist workflow. Each technologist is responsible for ensuring his or her work transmits into PACS as part of completing a case.

Q: Are there always PACS Team members on site? What hours do they work?
A: Monday – Friday 8am – 11:30pm - On site Support Pager#34188
Monday - Friday 11:30pm – 8am On Call support Pager#32117
Weekends 24hrs On Call Support Pager#32117

Q: Do I need a special password to log into a PACS workstation?
A: Yes, you must notify the PACS team for information.

Q: How does Amicas and PACS differ?
A: Amicas is a web-based application t hat uses compression techniques to deliver images to the desktop PC for clinical review. It is used primarily by referring clinicians. PACS is used by radiologist for primary interpretation of radiological exams.