How to Merge Images

MERGING IMAGES

• If images from the same study (same order and same patient) are created separately then images need to be merged into the same study.
  • Different modalities or
  • Different times.
  • 2 or more sets of images are selected and merged to create a single study.
• This is manually done by the Radiographer in the matching module.

NOTE:  Prior images are not merged into the active study. (Prior studies will be LINKED)

How to Merge images:

• On the System Manager page, launch the Matching worklist.

• Select a date range to accommodate dates for all images to be merged or clear the date entry completely.

• Search for correct images with patient's surname and DOB (you are not working with the RIS entries at the bottom of the page at all – only merging images into one folder.)
• Make sure both studies are unmatched before merging. (If one OR both of the studies are in an approved status – IT involvement will be needed to change the account status to allow merging of images)
• If one of the studies is matched - unmatch the study first before merging. 

   

• Tick boxed in front of all different images to be merged.  Click Merge

• Click merge – select which image is the merger (usually the first images were taken or images with already report attached should be the merger - the rest of the images will be merged INTO the merger study), click Merge at the bottom of the dialogue

• If the Patient's information is different on the images and RIS entry,  the system will give you a warning.  You need to manually select Yes if it is the same patient. (This will usually occurs if one of the patient information for one of the studies have been entered manually.)

• Click OK when prompt to confirm merging.

NOTE:  Merging images will ‘replace’ all patient information with the merger’s information, BUT:- the embedded DICOM information will be intact with the original information.

• When the merging process is completed, the merged studies can be matched to the correct RIS entry for reporting and invoicing.