Methods for generating an integrated image series that includes a patient image and medical image to avoid medical errors for patients

Georgia Tech inventors have developed systems, methods, and computer readable storage media that include instructions for generating an integrated image series that includes at least one patient image, such as a photograph or video of the patient, and at least one medical image, such as CT, MRI, x-ray images. The images can be associated based on identification information and linked to medical records.

Solution Advantages
  • Prevents the application of incorrect patient identification at the time of medical image generation
  • Allows the correlation of serial imaging studies by ensuring that all studies are from the same patient
  • Avoids the generation of incorrect reports
  • Minimizes the risk of wrong treatment due to incorrect patient identification
Potential Commercial Applications
  • Diagnostic Imaging
Background and More Information

It is estimated that up to 400,000 Americans die in hospitals each year due to medical errors and events, with the medical errors occuring at any stage of diagnosis and treatment. Despite adoption of the dual-identifier technique mandated by The Joint Commission, there is a significant number of patient mis-identification errors in medical imaging, which can have a detrimental effect in treatment decisions. The use of diagnostic imaging has increased dramatically over the past decade, and the market is expected to reach $36.43 billion by 2021.