Diagnosis system, medical care cooperation system and operation method of diagnosis system

Abstract

To provide a system which achieves first medical examination, imaging and diagnosis on the day when a patient visits a hospital.SOLUTION: A system requests imaging from a diagnosis hospital where a diagnosis doctor for diagnosing a patient is enrolled, to an imaging hospital where an imaging doctor who can image a medical image of the patient is enrolled, through a communication channel. An imaging possible time inquiry part inquires a time zone when imaging can be performed of the imaging request day to multiple imaging hospitals stored in the storage part, and receives imaging possible times from the imaging hospitals. An imaging possible time display part displays imaging possible time zones received from the multiple imaging hospitals, and movement time to the imaging hospitals on a display part. A selection / reservation part selects one of the imaging possible times displayed on the imaging possible time display part and sends the same to the imaging hospital and performs reservation. A medical image reception part receives a medical image in which the patient who is transferred from the diagnosis hospital is imaged by the imaging hospital reserved by the selection / reservation part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system that enables a patient to receive a diagnosis based on image capture and image interpretation in a short period of time. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing system that connects a regional hospital's system and a core hospital's system via a network to facilitate collaboration when patients are referred between medical facilities. The regional hospital's system in Patent Document 1 can generate a referral letter and send it to the core hospital's system via the network, and the core hospital's system can send the core hospital's available appointment dates to the regional hospital's system. The patient or doctor can make an appointment by selecting the available appointment dates at the core hospital on the display screen of the regional hospital's system. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-99808 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The information processing system in Patent Document 1 has the advantage of making it easy to make appointments with core hospitals from local hospitals' systems, but it is still the same as conventional systems in that it requires three visits to the core hospital for the initial consultation, imaging, and diagnosis.

[0005] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6(b), when a patient has some health concerns and visits a hospital to receive an initial examination (step 701), unless the patient has extremely acute symptoms, the patient will not be photographed by a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device or an X-ray CT device on the day of the initial consultation. Generally, the patient only makes an appointment to have the MRI or X-ray CT scan performed (step 702), pays for the consultation (step 703), and then goes home.

[0006] Next, the patient goes to the hospital at the scheduled date and time and is photographed (step 704). However, no diagnosis is made on the spot based on the photographed images, and the patient makes a reservation for the next visit, pays for the photograph, and then goes home again (step 705).

[0007] Next, the patient goes to the hospital at the appointed date and time, learns the diagnosis based on the interpretation of the captured images (step 706), and pays for the diagnosis (step 707).

[0008] Therefore, it is normal to visit the hospital over three days to undergo the initial consultation, imaging, and diagnosis. Generally, there is a waiting period between these three steps, and it takes several weeks for the entire procedure to be completed and for a diagnosis to be made.

[0009] In this way, patients have to visit the hospital three times over three days and go through the accounting process each time, which places a huge burden on the time of the patient. Furthermore, it usually takes several weeks for the diagnosis to be made, and the patient has to spend several weeks in a state of anxiety, which places a heavy psychological burden on them.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a system that enables an initial consultation, imaging, and diagnosis to be performed on the same day that a patient visits a hospital. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a diagnostic system that requests imaging via a communication line from a diagnostic hospital with a diagnostician who diagnoses a patient to an imaging hospital with a radiographer who can take medical images of the patient. The diagnostic system has a storage unit, an available imaging time inquiry unit, an available imaging time display unit, a selection / reservation unit, and a medical image receiving unit. The storage unit stores in advance a plurality of imaging hospitals and the travel time required for the patient to travel from the diagnostic hospital to the imaging hospital. The available imaging time inquiry unit inquires of the plurality of imaging hospitals in the storage unit about the available imaging time slots on the imaging request date, and receives the available imaging time from the imaging hospital. The available imaging time display unit displays the available imaging time slots received from the plurality of imaging hospitals and the travel time to the imaging hospital read from the storage unit on the display unit. The selection / reservation unit selects one of the available imaging times displayed by the available imaging time display unit, transmits it to the imaging hospital, and makes a reservation. The medical image receiving unit receives the medical images of the patient who has traveled from the diagnostic hospital by the imaging hospital reserved by the selection / reservation unit. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a diagnostic system that enables an initial consultation, imaging, and diagnosis to be performed on the same day that a patient visits a hospital. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a medical collaboration system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a medical collaboration system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the medical collaboration system according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 13 is an example of a screen displayed on a diagnostic system of the medical collaboration system according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] 13 is an example of a screen displayed on a diagnostic system of the medical collaboration system according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2A is a flow diagram showing the movement of a patient in the medical cooperation system of the embodiment; FIG. 2B is a flow diagram showing the movement of a patient in a conventional system; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a medical cooperation system of a comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] A medical collaboration system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a medical cooperation system 100 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a plurality of hospitals cooperated by the medical cooperation system 100. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of each unit of the medical cooperation system 100.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the medical cooperation system of this embodiment includes a diagnosis system 10, an imaging system 20, and an interpretation system 30.

[0017] The diagnostic system 10 is a system that is installed in a hospital (hereinafter referred to as diagnostic hospital 1) where a diagnostician who diagnoses a patient is located. The diagnostic system 10 requests imaging via a communication line 40 to a hospital (hereinafter referred to as imaging hospital 2) where a radiographer who can take medical images of the patient is located.

[0018] The imaging system 20 is a system installed in the imaging hospital 2. Upon receiving a request from the diagnostic hospital 1, the imaging system 20 captures medical images using a medical image capturing device 24 such as an MRI device or an X-ray CT device in the hospital, and transmits the captured medical images to the diagnostic hospital 1 via a communication line 40.

[0019] The image interpretation system 30 is a system that is installed in a hospital where an image interpretation doctor is present (hereinafter, referred to as image interpretation hospital 3). Upon receiving a request from a diagnostic hospital 1, the image interpretation system 30 interprets medical images captured by an imaging hospital 2 and transmits the image interpretation results to the diagnostic hospital 1 via a communication line 40.

[0020] The diagnostic system 10 can make a reservation for medical image capture on the same day by inquiring about the available imaging time slots on the day to the imaging systems 20 of multiple imaging hospitals 2. At that time, the diagnostic system 10 takes into consideration the travel time from the diagnostic hospital 1 where the patient is currently located to the imaging hospital 2, and reserves the earliest reservation time for imaging or the reservation time with the shortest travel time, thereby shortening the time until the completion of medical image capture.

[0021] The captured medical images may be received by the diagnostic system 10 and interpreted by a doctor in the diagnostic hospital 1, or the diagnostic system 10 may request interpretation from the image interpretation system 30 in the image interpretation hospital 3. The doctor in the diagnostic hospital 1 uses the image interpretation results to diagnose the patient.

[0022] This makes it possible to complete the three steps of initial consultation, imaging, and diagnosis on the same day that the patient visits diagnostic hospital 1 for a consultation, thereby reducing the burden on the patient and enabling early initiation of treatment. As shown in FIG. 1, the diagnostic system 10 of the diagnostic hospital 1 includes a memory unit 11, an available shooting time inquiry unit 12, an available shooting time display unit 13, a selection and reservation unit 14, a medical image and billing receiving unit 15, an image reading request unit 16, an image reading result and billing receiving unit 17, and a billing creation unit 18.

[0023] The diagnostic system 10 is configured by a computer or the like equipped with a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) and a memory, and the processor reads and executes a program stored in the memory to realize the functions of a photographable time inquiry unit 12, a photographable time display unit 13, a selection and reservation unit 14, a medical image and billing reception unit 15, an image reading request unit 16, an image reading result and billing reception unit 17, and a billing creation unit 18. The diagnostic system 10 can also be configured by hardware. For example, a circuit design can be performed to realize the functions of each unit using a custom IC such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or a programmable IC such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

[0024] The storage unit 11 stores in advance information such as names and addresses of multiple imaging hospitals 2, travel time required for a patient to travel from the diagnostic hospital 1 to the imaging hospital 2, and information such as names and addresses of one or more image reading hospitals 3. These pieces of information may be information that the imaging hospital 2 and image reading hospital 3 transmit to the diagnostic hospital 1 via a communication line or by mail, and that an operator of the diagnostic hospital 1 registers in the storage unit 11 information that the imaging hospital 2 and image reading hospital 3 introduce to the diagnostic hospital 1. Alternatively, information that the imaging hospital 2 and image reading hospital 3 introduce to the diagnostic hospital 1 may be registered in a database connected to a communication line 40 (not shown), and the operator of the diagnostic hospital 1 may download the information from the database and store it in the storage unit 11.

[0025] The available photographing time inquiry unit 12 inquires about the available photographing time zones from the photographing system 20 of the multiple photographing hospitals 2 registered in the memory unit 11 onward including the photographing request day and thereafter, and receives the available photographing time from the photographing system 20 of the multiple photographing hospitals 2.

[0026] The available shooting time display unit 13 displays the available shooting time periods received from multiple shooting hospitals 2 and the travel time to the shooting hospitals read from the memory unit on a connected display unit, for example, as shown in the example screen of Figure 4.

[0027] The selection and reservation unit 14 selects one of the available photo-taking times displayed by the available photo-taking time display unit 13, transmits it to the photo-taking system 20 of the photo-taking hospital 2, and makes a reservation. The selection and reservation unit 14 selects and reserves the earliest available photo-taking time zone or the shortest travel time from the available photo-taking times. At this time, the selection and reservation unit 14 may include a reception unit 141 as shown in FIG. 4, which receives from the operator which of the earlier available photo-taking time zone or the shortest travel time is to be prioritized when making the selection.

[0028] The medical image and invoice receiving unit 15 receives the medical images of the patient transferred from the diagnostic hospital 1 by the imaging hospital 2 reserved by the selection and reservation unit 14, and an invoice for the imaging fee.

[0029] The interpretation request unit 16 accepts the specification of the area to be read from the diagnosing physician using the screen example of Figure 5, and transmits the medical image received by the medical image / bill receiving unit 15 and the area to be read to the interpretation system 30 of the interpretation hospital 3 to request an interpretation.

[0030] The image interpretation result / invoice receiving unit 17 receives the image interpretation result and an invoice for the image interpretation fee from the image interpretation system 30 of the image interpretation hospital 3 .

[0031] The invoice creation unit 18 issues an invoice for the consultation fee to the patient. At this time, the invoice creation unit 18 creates an invoice by adding the imaging fee in the imaging fee invoice received from the imaging hospital 2 and the image reading fee in the image reading fee invoice received from the image reading hospital 3 to the consultation fee, and invoices the patient for the imaging fee of the imaging hospital 2 on behalf of the imaging hospital 2.

[0032] 1, the imaging system 20 includes an imaging time response unit 21 and a medical image / bill transmission unit 22. As with the diagnosis system 10, the functions of these units may be realized by software or hardware.

[0033] The imaging hospital 2 is provided with a medical imaging device 24, a medical image storage unit 25 for storing medical images captured by the medical imaging device 24, and an imaging reservation system 26 for accepting imaging reservations within the hospital. These are interconnected to form an existing in-hospital system. The imaging reservation system 26 stores a reservation table 26a indicating available imaging times.

[0034] When the available photographing time response unit 21 receives an inquiry about the available photographing time from the diagnostic system 10, it refers to the reservation table 26a in the photographing reservation system 26, reads out the available photographing time within the introduced date and time range, and transmits it to the diagnostic system 10.

[0035] The medical image / billing transmission unit 22 reads out the medical images captured by the medical image capture device 24 and stored in the medical image storage unit 25 from the medical image storage unit 25 and transmits them to the diagnostic system 10 together with a bill for the imaging fee.

[0036] 1, the image interpretation system 30 includes a medical image receiving unit 31, a medical image storage unit 32, and an image interpretation result / bill transmitting unit 33. As with the diagnostic system 10, the functions of these units may be realized by software or hardware.

[0037] The medical image receiving unit 31 receives a request for image interpretation and medical images from the diagnostic system 10. The medical images are stored in the medical image storage unit 32. A doctor interprets the medical images in the medical image storage unit 32 and creates an interpretation result.

[0038] The image interpretation result / bill transmission unit 33 transmits the image interpretation results prepared by the doctor and a bill for the image interpretation fee to the diagnostic system 10.

[0039] The movement of a patient in the medical cooperation system 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flow in FIG.

[0040] When a patient undergoes an initial examination at a diagnostic hospital 1 where the patient has visited for a medical examination (step 601) and the doctor determines that an image should be taken, the diagnostic system 10 searches for a nearby imaging hospital 2 that can take the image on the same day and makes a reservation, taking into consideration travel time (step 602).

[0041] The patient travels immediately on the same day and arrives at the imaging hospital 2 by the scheduled time (step 603).

[0042] The imaging hospital 2 performs imaging using the medical image imaging device 24 (step 604).

[0043] The patient returns to diagnostic hospital 1 (step 605).

[0044] The imaging system of the imaging hospital 2 transmits the captured medical image data and an invoice for the imaging fee to the diagnostic system 10 of the diagnostic hospital 1. The diagnostic system 10 transfers the medical image data to the interpretation system 30 of the interpretation hospital 3. As a result, interpretation is performed while the patient is traveling from the imaging hospital 2 to the diagnostic hospital 1. The interpretation result is transmitted from the interpretation system 30 to the diagnostic system 10. The doctor at the diagnostic hospital 1 receives the interpretation result and the medical images from the diagnostic system 10 and makes a diagnosis. When the patient returns to the diagnostic hospital 1, the doctor explains the diagnosis result to the patient and treatment begins (step 606).

[0045] The diagnostic system 10 of the diagnostic hospital 1 creates an invoice that includes the diagnosis fee at its own hospital, the imaging fee at the imaging hospital 2, and the image reading fee at the image reading hospital 3, and bills the patient. This saves the effort and time required for creating the invoice and making the payment only once (step 607).

[0046] In this way, diagnosing and imaging patients can reduce the time and psychological burden compared to conventional methods, and it can also prevent the progression of diseases during the several weeks of diagnosis and imaging.

[0047] In addition, the diagnostic hospital 1 can provide a diagnosis to the patient on the same day without having to own expensive medical imaging equipment 24 such as an MRI or X-ray CT scanner, thereby enabling the provision of prompt medical care while reducing the cost burden on the diagnostic hospital 1.

[0048] In addition, by utilizing the external radiography hospital 2 and image reading hospital 3, the diagnostician at diagnostic hospital 1 can make a diagnosis even in cases where they have never experienced the procedure before, without having to simply refer the case to a higher-level hospital.

[0049] Imaging Hospital 2 can effectively utilize the operating rate of its equipment and the skills of its radiologists and technicians without leaving them idle. Image interpretation doctors at Image Reading Hospital 3 can perform image interpretation regardless of whether the area where Image Reading Hospital 3 is located is close or far from Diagnostic Hospital 1, and image interpretation skills can be effectively utilized without being idle. Looking at the region as a whole, this will make it possible to reduce wasteful spending on medical care and provide higher quality medical care.

[0050] The operation of the medical collaboration system 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0051] (Steps 201-202) A patient visits the diagnostic hospital 1 and undergoes an initial examination by a diagnostician (step 201). When the diagnostician determines that it is necessary to take a medical image (step 202), the diagnostician inputs the body part to be photographed, the date of the desired day of photography, the presence or absence of a time period, the time period, and the designation of the photography hospital 2 to be inquired about in the areas 411 to 415 of the display screen, respectively, on the inquiry screen of Fig. 4 displayed by the available photography time inquiry unit 12 of the diagnostic system 10.

[0052] (Step 203) The available photographing time inquiry unit 12 of the diagnostic system 10 transmits the photographing body part and the date of the day, the presence or absence of a desired time period for photographing, and the time period input in the areas 411 to 414 to the photographing hospital 2 specified in the input area 415, and inquires about the available photographing time period.

[0053] (Step 204) The available photographing time response unit 21 of the photographing system 20 of each of the photographing hospitals 2 accepts the inquiry about the available photographing time period transmitted in step 203. The available photographing time response unit 21 refers to the reservation table 26a in the photographing reservation system 26, reads out the available photographing time period within the range of the introduced date and time, and transmits it to the diagnosis system 10.

[0054] (Step 205) The available photographing time inquiry unit 12 of the diagnostic system 10 receives the available photographing time period from the available photographing time response unit 21 of the photographing system 20 .

[0055] The available photographing time display unit 13 of the diagnostic system 10 displays the available photographing times received from the multiple photographing hospitals 2 and the travel time to the photographing hospitals 2 read from the storage unit 11, for example, in areas 421 and 422 of the screen example in Fig. 4. At this time, the available photographing time display unit 13 may display the available photographing time when the time obtained by adding the travel time to the current time has passed the start time.

[0056] (Step 206) The selection and reservation unit 14 selects one of the available photo-taking times displayed by the available photo-taking time display unit 13, transmits a request for photo-taking to the photo-taking system 20 of the selected photo-taking hospital 2, and makes a reservation. At this time, the selection and reservation unit 14 accepts from the operator at the reception unit 141 which of the earlier available photo-taking time period and the shorter travel time is to be selected with priority. If the reception unit 141 selects to select the earlier available photo-taking time period, the selection and reservation unit 14 selects and reserves the earliest available photo-taking time period from among the available photo-taking times. Also, if the reception unit 141 selects to select the shorter travel time period, the selection and reservation unit 14 selects and reserves the shortest travel time period.

[0057] At this time, the selection and reservation unit 14 receives patient information, the imaging region, and the imaging method from the diagnostician, and transmits these to the imaging system 20 at the same time.

[0058] At this time, the selection and reservation unit 14 may simultaneously arrange for transportation, for example, by requesting a taxi or a shuttle car of the reserved imaging hospital 2 to pick up the patient at the diagnostic hospital.

[0059] (Step 207) The available shooting time response unit 21 of the imaging system 20 of the imaging hospital 2 that has been requested to perform imaging transfers the imaging time slot transmitted from the selection / reservation unit 14 in step 206 to the reservation table 26a of the imaging reservation system 26 in the hospital, thereby reflecting the reservation in the imaging reservation system 26 in the hospital.

[0060] (Step 208) As soon as the patient arrives, a doctor or technician at the imaging hospital 2 captures medical images using the medical image capture device 24. The captured medical image data is stored in the medical image storage unit 25.

[0061] (Step 209) The medical image / billing transmission unit 22 reads out the medical images captured by the medical image capture device 24 and stored in the medical image storage unit 25 from the medical image storage unit 25 and transmits them to the diagnostic system 10 together with a bill for the imaging fee.

[0062] (Step 210) The medical image / invoice receiving unit 15 receives the medical image data transmitted in step 209 and the invoice for the imaging fee.

[0063] (Step 211) The diagnostician at the diagnostic hospital 1 may interpret the medical images within the diagnostic hospital 1, or may request the interpretation hospital 3 to do so. In this case, the diagnostician selects the area to be interpreted on a screen as shown in FIG. 5. The interpretation request unit 16 of the diagnostic system 10 transmits the medical image and the area to be interpreted received by the medical image / bill receiving unit 15 to the interpretation system 30 of the interpretation hospital 3 to request interpretation. It is desirable that the interpretation hospital 3 be a hospital that gives priority to interpretations by the diagnostic hospital 1.

[0064] (Step 212) The medical image receiving unit 31 of the image interpretation hospital 3 receives the image interpretation request and the medical image from the diagnostic system 10. The medical image is stored in the medical image storage unit 32.

[0065] (Step 213) A doctor at the image interpretation hospital 3 interprets the medical images in the medical image storage unit 32 and creates an interpretation result.

[0066] The image interpretation result / bill transmission unit 33 transmits the image interpretation results prepared by the doctor and a bill for the image interpretation fee to the diagnostic system 10.

[0067] (Step 214) The image interpretation result / invoice receiving unit 17 receives the image interpretation result transmitted in step 21 and the invoice for the image interpretation fee.

[0068] (Step 215) The doctor at the diagnosis hospital 1 performs a diagnosis based on the medical image received in step 210 and the image interpretation result received in step 214, and explains the diagnosis result to the patient who has returned from the imaging hospital 2.

[0069] (Step 216) The invoice creation unit 18 creates and issues an invoice by adding the imaging fee on the imaging fee invoice received from the imaging hospital 2 in step 210 and the reading fee on the reading fee invoice received from the reading hospital 3 in step 214 to the consultation fee.

[0070] (Steps 217-219) The diagnostic hospital 1 receives payment from the patient, and pays the imaging hospital 2 and the image reading hospital for the imaging fee and the image reading area, respectively.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 2, the medical collaboration system 100 of this embodiment involves collaboration between multiple diagnostic hospitals 1, multiple imaging hospitals 2, and multiple image interpretation hospitals 3, so that the multiple imaging hospitals 2 can receive imaging requests from the multiple diagnostic hospitals 1, thereby improving the operating efficiency of the medical image capturing device 24.

[0072] In addition, since medical images are sent and received to the interpretation hospital 3, there is no need for patients to travel, and only an interpretation doctor is required. Therefore, it is possible for the diagnostic hospital 1 to cooperate with an interpretation hospital 3 located far away from the diagnostic hospital 1 or with an interpretation hospital 3 overseas. In order to shorten the interpretation time, it is desirable for the diagnostic hospital 1 to secure an interpretation hospital 3 that will give top priority to interpreting its own medical images. As with the imaging hospital 2, it is also possible for the diagnostic hospital 1 to predict the end time of imaging at the imaging hospital 2 from the reserved imaging time, inquire with the interpretation hospital 3 about the available time for interpretation, and reserve the interpretation time.

[0073] 2, in the medical cooperation system 100 of this embodiment, the diagnostic hospital 1, the radiography hospital 2, and the image interpretation hospital 3 are connected in a peer-to-peer topology, and no server is required for overall control. Therefore, as long as there is a communication line, it is possible for a country on the other side of the world to participate as an image interpretation hospital 3.

[0074] As a comparative example, when a system similar to that of this embodiment is configured in a star topology system in which multiple hospital systems are connected to a shared server, the configuration shown in FIG. 7 is obtained. In the system shown in FIG. 7, the shared server centrally bundles diagnostic hospitals, radiography hospitals, and image interpretation hospitals. The advantage of this type of system is that processing is easy, and since the shared server performs optimization while grasping the requests of all the nodes under its jurisdiction, it is easy to extract a global optimal solution. Also, once the interface on the side of each diagnostic hospital, radiography hospital, and image interpretation hospital is decided, it is possible to improve the functionality by simply updating the server side.

[0075] On the other hand, the system in Figure 7 has the following disadvantages. First, it is not easy to keep up with changes. The number of diagnostic hospitals, imaging hospitals, and image interpretation hospitals is not constant, but increases or decreases from time to time. Each time the number increases or decreases, the configuration of the shared server must be changed.

[0076] Secondly, there is the issue of who will bear the costs of maintaining the system itself. Even if the initial members fairly paid the costs of building the system, it is quite difficult to determine how other members who joined or left later should bear the costs. For example, unless there is a system in place where local governments are responsible for building and maintaining the shared server, it will be difficult to jointly maintain the server.

[0077] Thirdly, it is difficult to deal with complex networks. For example, in order for overseas hospitals that read radiology images to participate, it is necessary to build the system shown in Figure 7 on a global network, which is not easy. Conversely, if it is built on a global network, network interruptions may occur near the network borders.

[0078] In contrast, in the medical cooperation system 100 of this embodiment, a hospital that wants to participate can participate or stop participating with its own doctor by introducing any one of the diagnostic system 10, the imaging system 20, and the image interpretation system 30. In addition, since a shared server is not required, the hospital only needs to bear the cost of maintaining its own system. In addition, as long as a communication line is connected, any type of network can be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1. Diagnostic Hospital 2. Shooting Hospital 3. Imaging Hospital 10 Diagnostic Systems 11 Storage section 12 Recording time inquiry section 13 Recording time display 14 Selection and Reservation Department 15 Medical Image and Bill Receiving Department 16 Image Reading Request Department 17 Image Reading Results and Bill Receiving Department 18 Billing Department 20. Shooting System 21 Recording time response unit 22 Medical Image and Billing Department 24 Medical imaging equipment 25 Medical Image Storage 26 Photoshoot reservation system 26a Reserved Table 30 Image Reading System 31 Medical image receiving unit 32 Medical Image Storage Unit 33 Image Reading Results and Billing Department 40 Communication lines 100 Medical Collaboration System 141 Reception 411 area 412 areas 413 areas 414 areas 415 area 421 area

Claims

1. A diagnostic system in which a diagnostic hospital having a diagnostician who diagnoses a patient requests imaging via a communication line to an imaging hospital having an imaging doctor who can take medical images of the patient, A storage unit in which a plurality of the imaging hospitals and a travel time required for a patient to travel from the diagnosis hospital to the imaging hospital are stored in advance; an available photographing time inquiry unit that inquires of the plurality of photographing hospitals in the storage unit about available photographing time periods on the photographing request date and receives available photographing times from the photographing hospitals; a photographing available time display unit that displays on a display unit the photographing available time slots received from the plurality of photographing hospitals and the travel time to the photographing hospitals read from the storage unit; a selection and reservation unit for selecting one of the available photo-taking times displayed by the available photo-taking time display unit, transmitting the selected time to the imaging hospital, and making a reservation; a medical image receiving unit for receiving, from the imaging hospital reserved by the selection / reservation unit, medical images of the patient transferred from the diagnosis hospital.

2. 2. The diagnostic system according to claim 1, wherein the selection / reservation unit selects and reserves the earliest available shooting time period or the shortest travel time from the available shooting times.

3. 2. The diagnostic system according to claim 1, wherein the selection / reservation unit includes a reception unit that receives a selection of the available shooting time by an operator, and selects and reserves the available shooting time received by the reception unit.

4. 2. The diagnostic system according to claim 1, further comprising a billing unit for issuing a bill to a patient for medical examination fees, The medical image receiving unit receives an invoice for the imaging fee from the imaging hospital together with the medical image, The billing creation unit creates a bill that includes the imaging fee of the imaging hospital in addition to the consultation fee, and bills the imaging hospital for the imaging fee to the patient on behalf of the imaging hospital.

5. The diagnostic system according to claim 1, further comprising an image interpretation request unit and an image interpretation result receiving unit, The storage unit further registers one or more image reading hospitals that have image reading doctors and are connected to the diagnostic hospital via a communication line, The image interpretation requesting unit transmits the medical image received by the medical image receiving unit to at least one of the image interpretation hospitals and requests the medical image interpretation; The diagnostic system is characterized in that the image interpretation result receiving unit receives image interpretation results from the image interpretation hospital.

6. A diagnostic system in which a diagnostic hospital having a diagnostician who diagnoses a patient requests imaging via a communication line to an imaging hospital having a radiologist who can take medical images of the patient; A medical cooperation system including an imaging system in which an imaging hospital having an imaging doctor receives a request from the diagnostic hospital, captures medical images, and transmits the medical images to the diagnostic hospital via a communication line, 5. A medical cooperation system, wherein the diagnostic system is the diagnostic system according to claim 1.

7. 7. The medical collaboration system according to claim 6, further comprising an image reading system in which an image reading hospital having an image reading doctor receives a request from the diagnostic hospital, reads the medical images, and transmits the image reading results to the diagnostic hospital via a communication line.

8. A method for operating a diagnostic system in which a diagnostic hospital having a diagnostician who diagnoses a patient requests imaging via a communication line to an imaging hospital having an imaging doctor who can capture medical images of the patient, the method comprising the steps of: Inquiring of a plurality of imaging hospitals regarding time periods during which imaging is available on the imaging request date, and receiving the available imaging times from the imaging hospitals; displaying on a display unit the available time slots for radiography received from the plurality of radiography hospitals and the travel time to the radiography hospitals read from the storage unit; Select one of the displayed available imaging times and transmit the selected time to the imaging hospital to make a reservation. A method for operating a diagnostic system, comprising receiving, from a reserved imaging hospital, medical images of the patient transferred from the diagnostic hospital.

Images