Development and Implementation of an Ambulatory Orders-Based Ophthalmology Imaging Workflow.

Background: Ocular imaging is essential to the diagnosis and management of eye disease, yet standardized imaging workflows remain underdeveloped in the eye care setting. This manuscript describes the design and implementation of an orders-based imaging workflow for ambulatory ophthalmology integrated with the electronic health record and enterprise imaging systems.

Methods: We developed a DICOM-compliant workflow for pediatric ophthalmology imaging that supports HL7 integration, DICOM modality worklists, and enterprise archive storage. Workflow steps were automated where possible, including imaging order placement, metadata application, and documentation. Pre- and post-implementation workflows were evaluated for efficiency, measuring mouse clicks, keystrokes, and time to completion. Imaging study volumes and billing data were collected following implementation.

Results: Thirteen imaging devices across six modalities and five locations were integrated. The new workflow reduced manual data entry and enabled structured documentation. Post-implementation, 16,267 imaging studies were completed, generating $11.4 million in billed charges. Workflow efficiency improved, with keystrokes and mouse clicks reduced by 40-86% depending on modality. Time savings were observed in most modalities, although optical coherence tomography and B-scan ultrasound required more time due to order-specific imaging steps.

Conclusion: An orders-based imaging workflow for ophthalmology can improve efficiency, standardization, and interoperability while enabling proper image archiving and billing. Challenges remain with vendor variability in DICOM support and image output formats. These findings support broader adoption of standardized imaging practices in ophthalmology.