Minister Joan Burton TD has welcomed the new filmless medical imaging system which went live in Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown on Tuesday 2 October. Minister Burton said, “this technology will be of great assistance in the delivery of radiology services in Connolly Hospital and the system will support the delivery of better quality care within the hospital.
The HSE National Integrated Medical Imaging System (NIMIS) is a new computer based system for storing and examining X-rays and scans. Connolly is the latest hospital to benefit from this filmless radiology system, which the HSE, in partnership with healthcare IT solutions provider McKesson, is rolling out in 33 hospitals by 2013.

Until now, images from X-rays and scans have been printed on a special type of film or in the case of electrocardiograms (ECGs), on graph paper. With NIMIS, these images and the reports based on them will be stored and examined on a secure, central computer system which the HSE will manage and control.

There are many patient and staff benefits to this new technology. NIMIS will allow rapid movement of patient image data throughout the hospital system through a secure computer network. This will mean that all patients’ past images will be available in the radiology department, out-patient clinic or hospital ward, resulting in swift transfer of images among doctors and consultants. As doctors will be able to view all of a patient’s relevant images and test results there will be less need to repeat an X-ray, scan or ECG, which will result in fewer repeat exams and a shorter waiting time for examination results.