PACS Solutions Done Right and Offsite
The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) held its annual meeting recently where experts in
the field of radiology discussed a variety of topics, including PACS and VNA as solutions to a better workflow. Michael Gray, a medical imaging consultant, expanded on the topic in a video featured on searchhealthIT.com.
Gray refers to the PACS 3.0 concept, which places value on integrating VNA technology with PACS, as an enterprise workflow-work list application with a foundation in VNA architecture. What’s important about VNA and PACS working together is that they will integrate with the requirements regarding electronic health records that imaging departments use today.
The goal is to have VNA combined with advanced image visualization for radiologists and medical specialists who need a workflow-work list application for their specific imaging needs, some of which are more intensive than others. There are other changes taking place that were also discussed at the annual meeting, including the fact that radiology information systems are being replaced by various IT components related to electronic health record systems.
Gray noted during the meeting that “PACS don’t really speak very well to each other,” which is something more and more healthcare professionals are finding. Some of it is a proprietary issue where a PACS built by one vendor can’t communicate with a PACS built by a different vendor. However, this is where VNA can step in to work as an interpreter.
Something that has really risen as a leader where healthcare imaging needs are concerned is offsite-imaging vendors who work VNA into PACS solutions. Since it’s all done in the cloud, there are no extra tasks required of the onsite IT department. Instead, the vendor, leaving IT personnel to manage their current systems, handles everything.
Working with true VNA technology, cloud-based vendors are giving clients exactly what they need. A true VNA solution can store all objects in a non-proprietary format, stores the complete suite of DICOM SOP classes, including presentations state and key image notes. Furthermore, true VNA provides context management and AADT updates to the image files stored in the archive.
The best vendors are going to be willing to assist clients in the multisite environment with adopting imaging data center upgrades. For instance, what happens a few years down the road when a hospital opts to replace their PACS with one from another vendor? You want a vendor that is going to be one that offers solutions that make the transition easy. Many hospital groups are merging today, which is also a reason to choose a vendor with true VNA technology and the willingness to assist in helping the merged systems in communicating between PACS.
OffSite Image Management, Inc. is a company that knows the power of VNA and PACS working together. Our approach allows even the most rural provider with a limited budget access to industry leading solutions that target the imaging needs too many providers are struggling with today. Contact us for more information about our 360-degree approach to imaging solutions.