Ronald Arenson

Research Interests

PACS, RIS, computers in Radiology, informatics, health care policy, management techniques, computer assisted education.

Research Summary

A. Systematic cost-effectiveness analysis of PACS. Developing methodology and techniques to capture the relevant data and to project the expected costs and savings to be realized when modules of the PACS are implemented over time.

B. Development of steerage systems for endovascular catheters for interventional MR. I have been awarded one patent through the University recently for a steerage device for catheters. Next prototype devices will be built and tested in a high-field MR system. If successful, commercial development will be sought.

C. Analysis of a speech recognition system for radiology reporting. Speech recognition devices are now commercially available that are acceptable for most applications. We will analyze the impact these devices have on radiologist productivity as well as the cost and benefits.

D. The Development of micro-costing system for radiology technical expense management. Micro-costing systems establish the cost for unit services, radiologic procedures in Radiology. This research is designed to build such a system for Radiology, in order to better manage technical expenses. This work will build on the system first devised by me around ten years ago.

Selected Publications

Arenson RL, Burnside ES, Avrin DE, Gould RG, Huang HK, Marco RP. Cost-benefits of picture archiving and communications systems (PACS). Acad Radiol. 3(S) 72-74, 1996

Tellis WM, Andriole KP, Avrin DE, Arenson RL. Web Technology in the integration of a digital teaching file at the diagnostic workstation. J of Digital Imaging, 11(3:1)117-119, 1998.

Andriole KP, Avrin, DE, Yin L, Gould RG, Arenson RL. PACS Databases and Enrichment of the Folder Manager Concept. J of Digital Imaging, 13(1)3-12, 2000.

Arenson RL, Andriole KP, Avirn DE, Gould RG: Computers in imaging and health care: Now and in the future. J of Digital Imaging, 13(4)145-156, 2000.

Arenson RL: PACS: Current Status and Cost-Effectiveness. Eur. Radiol 10 (Suppl.3) S354-S356, 2000.

Avrin DE, Andriole KP, Yin L, Gould RG, Arenson RL: A hierarchial storage management (HSM) scheme for cost-effective on-line archival using lossy compression. J of Digital Imaging, 14(1:1):18-23, 2001.

Arenson RL, Lu Y, Elliott SC, Jovais C, Avrin DE: Measuring the Academic Radiologist's Clinical Productivity: Survey Results for Sub-Specialty Sections. Acad Rad, 8(6):524-532, 2001.

Arenson RL, Lu Y, Elliot SC, Jovais C, Avrin DE: Measuring the Academic Radiologists Clinical Productivity: Applying RVU Adjustment Factors. Acad Rad, 8(6):533-540, 2001.