Enterprise Imaging: Getting Connected to the Right Vendor
Is “enterprise imaging” just another catchphrase or does it actually mean something that you should be concerned about? Some providers are building up an enterprise imaging platform/program so that they can implement best practices to achieve better outcomes in terms of cost, workflow and patient care. Ask yourself a few questions about your current operation to see if enterprise imaging is also something that should be on your radar.
We’ve come a long way from the days of analog processes, including film, paper and all the manual models that were once the norm. However, given the size of the headache that many medical IT personnel face on a daily basis, the path from analog to digital has definitely proven to be a treacherous journey. Healthcare professionals are not only tasked with providing medical images and reports in digital form within 24 hours of an exam, they’re also tasked with querying studies and sharing them across departments and across state lines.
You must consider a few questions about your current operation if you’re going to find more efficiency in your workflow as it relates to medical imaging.
- Do you have an enterprise imaging strategy in the works?
You want to cut costs while improving workflow and patient outcomes. Most executives can agree on this. You need to shore up your patient health information access, which can be difficult with aging PACS and other infrastructure that were made for a different era. Get on top of an enterprise imaging strategy and you’ll get a better idea of where you need to make changes. - Are you prepared to offer advanced imaging?
Rural providers are answering this question with a resounding “no.” They don’t have the budgets to bring in the latest hardware and software solutions. The way out of this situation is to find a third party vendor that offers excellent enterprise imaging solutions that are scalable. - Are you currently burdened with proprietary hardware and software?
Again, this is something that can be remedied by seeking out the appropriate offsite vendor that works with vendor neutral archiving technology. Too many providers hit snags as they try to access imaging studies from one department to the next, and in many cases, from one facility to another. VNA technology has emerged as the solution, and some of the best are found through cloud-based vendors.
The switch from your on-premise PACS solution to one that involves VNA technology in the cloud doesn’t have to be an expensive nightmare. There are vendors working for you today, offering scalable and flexible solutions that fit every budget. The advantages really hit home for providers who have long struggled with the thought of enterprise imaging solutions, workflow, patient satisfaction and access.
OffSite Image Management, Inc., is available to you today for flexible, scalable, affordable and industry-leading solutions that bring even the smallest, budget-strapped providers into the present digital age. Find out more about our solutions by contacting us today.