This invention provides a mobile communications device based process by
which healthcare workers are alerted in real time to the availability or
change in status of patient information stored at one or more local or
remote repositories of DICOM or HL7 based medical information, including
PACS, HIS, and RIS repositories. The process involves the automated,
secure, search and retrieval of selected remote repositories to assess
whether criteria have been met to trigger an alert on the mobile device.
Levels of alert priorities are definable, ranging from an alphanumeric
indication to a ringtone or vibration requiring the user to acknowledge
the alert. Alerts are created using mobile device localized Wizards that
help the user develop and direct their personal daily workflow. Whether
operating locally or remotely, using standard wireless communications and
network protocols, the worklists are continuously and automatically
updated to the mobile device using DICOM and/or HL7 communications.