The Evolution of PACS and How VNA Works to Improve the Process
One of the biggest changes as of late in the medical imaging industry is the transition to a single, enterprise view
rather than a departmental view. Thanks to the help of vendor neutral archiving (VNA), this is becoming more of a reality, but it’s only a step in the PACS and image sharing/archiving/accessing process.
There are actually three major components to the new view of medical imaging delivery – VNA being one of them. There is also the individual diagnostic display situation to consider. Most display applications are becoming plugins to the VNA. The main perk of this application scenario is that the architecture is built so the ownership of an image is neutralized, which means there is a roadblock-free exchange instead of proprietary nightmares clogging the path.
A third component of medical imaging today involves an application related to enterprise work lists. A work list application is launched to create a single view of the display options and actually determines which is the most appropriate for the VNA to interpret. Some are calling this PACS 3.0.
Imaging departments today have many needs, one of which is to choose the best applications to bring better patient care in every department across the board. Many PACS differ per department, which has caused a problem, especially as providers are switching to electronic health records and Meaningful Use requirements are forcing radiologists to come up with more electronic-friendly reporting.
What’s holding some departments back is that many VNA providers offer what they call “true” VNA that will interoperate with other departmental PACS, yet it doesn’t happen as advertised. The error occurs in many cases with the diagnostic viewing application. IT departments have realized that purchasing a PACS/VNA solution together will actually limit their ability to construct a medical content management platform. However, this can be avoided by seeking out the services of a vendor that offers off site PACS and VNA solutions.
The technology that today’s PACS are based on is old technology. There are several challenges radiology departments and IT personnel see because of this, the first of which is related to infrastructure. There simply aren’t enough backup system assurances or disaster recovery solutions, and it’s due to the infrastructure. Another challenge is related to the diagnostic display in today’s PACS. Pixel tricks are yet another issue facing providers today. The exclusivity of Windows at the client-side processing application level offers its share of problems, especially for those IT departments that rely on more than just Windows in their multiple platform approach.
OffSite Image Management, Inc. addresses the issues providers see today in their PACS by offering state-of-the-art and industry-leading solutions that wipe out the headaches and roadblocks commonly associated with today’s PACS. Our cloud-based solution works not only for the major hospital groups, but for rural providers as well. For more information about our low-cost and top-quality solutions, contact us today.