Objective: To clarify the characteristics of the hardware and software in the emergency-isolation-radiology-information-system(EIRIS) from the running experience of EIRIS during the epidemic outbreak stage of SARS(serious acute respiratory syndrom). To summarize the experience and the effects of the system, and to discuss the benefits and problems of the system.
Methods: To set the dependent IP subnet address for the EIRIS. The server was in high available(HA) style. The text information was transmitted by TCP/IP protocol, and the chest X ray film information was transmitted by DICOM protocol. The client workstations were set in the SARS isolation region(at the SARS outpatient department and the SARS x-ray examination room) and the non-SARS isolation region respectively. The incidence of the SARS in medical staffs was recorded before and after the EIRIS was employed.
Results: EIRIS made the suspected and the diagnosed SARS cases away from the non-isolation area effectively. The incidence of the disease after the EIRIS running was in a downward trend compared with the incidence before the system run.
Conclusion: EIRIS was an effective method to break the transmission route of SARS within the hospital. Network and software preparation, the training in computer of the staffs at radiology department, network maintenance and the management system are the keys to the smooth running of the EIRIS.