Systems and methods for workflow processing

Abstract

Systems and methods for processing a workflow are disclosed. Certain embodiments allow prescreened data to be inserted into a workflow. A user's interpretation of prescreened data can be compared with previously obtained characteristics, enabling the user's interpretive output to be monitored and improved. The disclosed systems and methods have applications including, but not limited to, training, performance analysis, process improvement, and data analysis and data mining in workflows.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for processing medical image files comprising:
 an unscreened files module configured to access unscreened medical image files created by at least one imaging modality;   a prescreened files module configured to access prescreened medical image files and an associated diagnosis for each of the prescreened medical image files;   a distribution module comprising:
 a selection processor configured to create a selection of medical image files by selecting a plurality of medical image files from the prescreened files data structure and the unscreened files data structure, 
 a transmission processor configured to transmit the selection of medical image files; 
   at least one workstation comprising:
 a receiving processor configured to receive the workflow queue from the distribution module, 
 a user display configured to display each of the medical image files in the selection of medical image files, and 
 a user input configured to receive a user diagnosis associated with the medical image file displayed on the user display; 
   a comparison module configured to receive the user diagnosis from the at least one workstation and generate comparison data if the user diagnosis is associated with a prescreened medical image file by comparing the user diagnosis with the associated diagnosis; and   a feedback module configured to receive the comparison data from the comparison module and transmit the comparison data to the workstation user display.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the distribution module further comprises:
 a distribution monitoring processor configured to monitor the receipt of the prescreened medical image files, and   an distribution override processor in communication with the distribution monitoring processor and the selection processor, wherein the distribution override processor is configured to prevent the selection processor from selecting from the prescreened files data structure when the distribution monitoring processor indicates that the receipt of the prescreened medical image files exceeds a threshold value signifying an emergency condition.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the workstation is configured to receive electronic tag data through the user input and associate the electronic tag data with the medical image file displayed on the user display. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising a central repository configured to receive the medical image file associated with the electronic tag data. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the prescreened files data structure is configured to access medical image files in the central repository. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a cloaking module configured to alter origination data associated with prescreened medical image files such that prescreened medical image files appear to originate from the at least one modality. 
     
     
         7 . A system for processing medical image files comprising:
 an unscreened files data structure configured to access unscreened medical image files created by at least one imaging modality;   a distribution module comprising:
 a selection processor configured to select a plurality of medical image files from the unscreened files data structure, 
 a workflow queue generation processor configured to generate a workflow queue comprising the selection of medical image files, and 
 a transmission processor configured to transmit the workflow queue; 
   at least one workstation comprising:
 a receiving processor configured to receive the workflow queue from the distribution module, 
 a user display configured to serially display each of the plurality of medical image files in the workflow queue, and 
 a user input configured to receive a user diagnosis associated with the medical image file displayed on the user display; and 
   a diagnostic output module configured to receive the user diagnosis from the at least one workstation, generate a score based on a textual evaluation of the user diagnosis, and associate the score with the medical image file displayed on the user display.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a feedback module configured to receive textual comment data from a physician associated with the medical image files displayed on the user display and display the textual comment data on the user display. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising an alerting module configured receive the score from the diagnostic output module and transmit an alert to a physician linked with the associated medical image file if the score exceeds a threshold indicating a serious medical condition. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a prescreened files data structure configured to access prescreened medical image files and an associated diagnosis for each of the prescreened medical image files;   a comparison module configured to receive the user diagnosis from the at least one workstation and generate comparison data if the user diagnosis is associated with a prescreened medical image file by comparing the user diagnosis with the associated diagnosis; and   a feedback module configured to receive the comparison data from the comparison module and transmit the comparison data to the workstation user display,   wherein the selection processor is configured to select the plurality of medical image files from the prescreened files data structure and the unscreened files data structure.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a system monitoring module configured to generate an aggregated score with scores received from the diagnostic output module. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising an distribution override processor in communication with the system monitoring module and the selection processor, wherein the distribution override processor is configured to prevent the selection processor from selecting from the prescreened files data structure when the system monitoring module indicates that aggregated score exceeds a threshold value signifying an emergency condition. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the ratio of unscreened medical image files to prescreened medical image files in the workflow queue depends on the aggregated score.