The focus on improving radiology enterprise imaging platforms has been quite broad, but the bulk of the headlines regarding the recent evolution includes the addition of artificial intelligence (AI) and technology related to more streamlined integration with electronic medical records. PACS solutions have also been in the headlines where most of the attention has been drawn to the integration of radiology information systems, which are traditionally separate silos, into the PACS. It’s actually something that hospitals have gravitated toward for several years now but is picking up speed.
Radiology IT and AI
It wasn’t long ago that when the topic of AI came up, there was pushback because the concept was so foreign and the understanding of how it actually worked had not been fully embraced. Radiology, however, has always been an industry where new technologies are embraced by IT professionals, and AI is no exception.
For those who have yet to implement AI but are curious about how it works, think of it as an algorithm operating basically unseen, serving mostly as a workflow aid. It does this by recognizing various imaging protocols, and when it locates the right information, it can pull up a variety of data related to what an imaging specialist needs to see.
Those who have successfully implemented AI notice an improvement in workflow. Basically, AI “anticipates” what needs to happen next to facilitate a more optimal flow of information, in some cases by automatically seeking out prior exams so radiologists can make the appropriate comparisons to new images.
Remote Collaboration
Prior to 2020, nobody could have predicted that a pandemic would force radiologists who had yet to embrace remote viewing systems to adopt them en masse. That’s exactly what happened. For those who implemented remote viewing systems prior to the pandemic, they were well aware of the advantages, including less stress for on-call radiologists who could view images from basically anywhere, which means they didn’t have to report to the imaging facility’s viewing station to view images.
Healthcare professionals now embrace live remote viewing sessions, giving multiple specialists the opportunity to view images together and discuss what they see. This has many positive impacts on improving patient care.
Cloud PACS
Cloud PACs solutions have become a permanent platform in many healthcare facilities. The advantages are clear and numerous. One of the top reasons cloud PACS is adopted is because they make it easy to access patent exams and data from multiple locations at any time.
At OffSite Image Management, we’ve taken an industry-leading approach to PACS technology, offering cloud and hybrid solutions that are a great match for facilities of any size. Contact us and learn more about the advantages of utilizing the cloud.
