MRAD 1660 Imaging Informatics

Management and interpretation of digital medical images and associated patient data systems.

Course overview

This course explores the digital backbone of modern diagnostic imaging. You will learn how medical images are created, stored, transmitted, and displayed in a clinical setting. The focus is on the software and networks that allow radiologists and medical radiation technologists to access patient data and images efficiently and securely. You will gain hands-on experience with industry-standard systems, including PACS and RIS, and learn the standards that keep these systems communicating.

Who takes this course

MRAD 1660 is an elective course open to students in the following programs:

• Medical Radiation Technology
• Medical Laboratory Technology

While the course is designed for imaging students, it is also valuable for those interested in the administrative and technological side of healthcare. No prior coding experience is required, but familiarity with basic computer networking concepts is helpful.

Credits: 3 · Hours: 45

Prerequisites

None

Learning outcomes

• Identify the core components of a digital imaging system, including acquisition devices, image servers, and workstation displays.
• Apply the principles of DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) to manage image data exchange between systems.
• Navigate a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) to retrieve, view, and manipulate medical images.
• Explain the role of Health Information Management (HIM) systems in linking patient demographics with imaging studies.
• Demonstrate proper protocols for image annotation, measurement, and reporting within a clinical informatics environment.
• Evaluate digital image quality and troubleshoot common transmission errors in a networked radiology department.

Evaluation