This is accomplished through application interfaces that enable the various systems to communicate with each other. The following is a review of the shortcomings of current radiology information management systems that are paving the way for the TIS concept. A. Disparate systems from several vendors joined together by interfaces or brokers. Interfaces include patient demographics, orders, results reporting, and scheduling. Figure 2 illustrates interface functionality.
Interfaces require cooperation by both vendor parties.
Some companies are more complex to deal with than others. Interfaces are time-consuming to design, implement, and support. Interfaces require a one-time charge, which is based on the hours of technical effort required to achieve the interface. Software version upgrades can require interface redesign. Version control can be a problem.