How to Get on Top With Cloud PACS
In some ways it’s all about the workflow, particularly where your PACS are concerned. When it comes to your workflow, how much time are you wasting fixing data entry errors or manually pushing images? Are you still burning CDs? If so this is leading to wasted time, money and space while compromising the quality of your image management.
Improving workflow is actually a fairly common goal for image management specialists. Many providers are looking for an improvement in their HL7 interfacing process, and they want to work with an existing EMR or RIS, gaining access to reports and transmitting them to others.
Some facilities are using multiple full-time employees to manually enter data on patients many times through various modalities and software. It’s time-consuming and those employees could be working on other tasks related to vital healthcare services. Obviously, a new solution is required.
Cloud-based solutions have stepped up to offer many advantages that put old processes in the back seat for good. For instance, with a cloud-based image management solution, PACS are no longer held hostage, unable to communicate. Instead of using CD burning technology, cloud PACS users send images electronically to browser agnostic viewers.
With the right cloud PACS partner, you can have each component operating independently from the other on separate pieces of hardware. With all components replicated, if one piece fails, others will not be affected.
There are many cloud-based solutions out there, but not all are created equal. When you shop for a better workflow solution, make sure the vendor is offering the following:
- Zero client administration
- Browser agnostic viewer
- Scalability
- Automatic software upgrades at no additional cost
- All solutions are based on DICOM standards, but also work with non-DICOM images
Many healthcare providers are utilizing outdated PACS, and they’re finding themselves asking too much of their current system. In fact, a PACS should be able to support your needs for years to come. You get this when you are able to customize to your specifications as they change.
Don’t be fooled by vendors using updated terminology to sell their “new” solution. Others will build solutions that only work for multi-system hospitals, and this does nothing for the rural or critical access hospitals. Others are using a single-server system, which means your business continuity process is at risk.
At OffSite Image Management, Inc., we use multiple data centers that are geographically disparate to protect your data and to make it available 24/7/365. It’s just part of what makes our PACS workflow solutions a step ahead of competitors. Plus, we work with rural providers to bring them best-in-class solutions that actually save money. Contact OffSite today and let’s talk about how we can improve your workflow.