The amount of information available to healthcare providers today has drastically increased due to electronic health records. Because of this influx of data, it has become important for this information to be searchable. Some refer to this as a “sea of information” that needs to be Googled in order to find what’s needed.
For medical imaging, cloud based images are among the easiest to store and access. Providers who use the cloud are finding it to be a dynamic and efficient system for helping them make diagnoses. However, for providers continuing to use archaic radiology systems, the cloud-based tools are not as worthwhile. Without the right software, they are left with no means to efficiently search their electronic health records and pull up the data they need to treat patients.
A study published in a recent issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology found that for facilities with software that allows them to search their electronic medical records, it takes medical personnel about 15 seconds to pull up the information. The data doctors are able to find through a search function includes everything from lab values to doctors’ notes to medical imaging. For radiologists armed with search software, they can reduce the time it takes them to interpret an image by 20 percent.
Electronic health records have improved the way physicians store medical records, gain access to them and provide better patient care, but not for all providers. For those struggling to harness the technology required to run a smooth operation, the process can be a problem. The issues that many healthcare facilities are finding is that they are ill equipped to bring in state-of-the-art tools into their antiquated systems. They need fresh solutions but they’re running equipment that was developed many years ago.
Getting up to speed with more modern equipment is a must, and it doesn’t have to be a complete drain on the provider’s resources. In many cases, the solutions they’re looking for are cloud-based, which means there is no investment needed for a complete overhaul of the current system, just a migration to the cloud.
Rural hospitals are at a disadvantage due to limited budgets and a lack of human resources, particularly in the IT department. While these rural providers offer vital services to the rural population, the methods they use are not exactly electronic health records friendly, especially where making searches is concerned. Thankfully, there is a vendor working with the rural providers to bring them the same conveniences that doctors and radiologists see in larger facilities.
OffSite Image Management, Inc., has established a way for healthcare providers struggling with technology a way around their issues. Our picture archiving and communication system solution is a turnkey antidote for providers who have struggled to harness the power of electronic health records. We work to understand our clients’ current and future business challenges and provide them with solutions that work. You will experience zero client administration, which means we do all the heavy lifting. Upgrades are automatic and you’ll experience complete mobility. For more information, contact us today.