The phrase “vendor neutral archiving system” is talked about often, however, the definition isn’t the same for everybody, which can cause some confusion. Some hospitals learn too late that their supposed vendor neutral archiving system isn’t as vendor neutral as they had hoped.
When a hospital has positioned its picture archiving and communications system (PACS) with a true vendor neutral archiving system, there are no more hang-ups involved with sharing medical images and data. When a true vendor neutral archiving system is in place, providers can easily share their information with the appropriate parties, regardless of the system they are running on their end.
Most providers refer to vendor neutral archiving as VNA, and have sought it out recently, as the healthcare industry has been flooded with new demands to establish better electronic health record systems. In fact, just over 30 percent of imaging studies in the U.S. are being stored on VNAs now, according to a study by InMedica. Technology that is fully compatible with DICOM standard is essential in this transition to VNA. Providers want to store enterprise pathologic slides and images related to DICOM radiology and cardiology and many other types of images, which is what a true VNA can help them accomplish.
If you’re curious as to what the difference is between a VNA and most PACS, you have to consider the storage methods. VNA will actually objectify healthcare information and follow the industry standards. However, any IT application you want to use will not be tied to physical storage or proprietary communication systems. When the data can be freed from the chains of the proprietary systems, you’re getting a true VNA experience.
Speaking of proprietary, most early PACS were built in such a way that they can no longer do what providers are asking of them today, mostly because of the proprietary architecture included in these older systems. The archiving aspect of PACS has long been a problem with most providers and it only got worse as they began looking into electronic medical records that were DICOM compatible. It wasn’t until VNA came around that they found a suitable solution.
If your facility is looking to move information, including medical imaging, to a truly DICOM standard, you’ll find you’re eliminating most of the problems associated with proprietary roadblocks. However, when you are paired with a VNA, you’ll have total access to images across systems and the ability to migrate to a new PACS where you’ll finally have the ability to freely share your data.
At OffSite Image Management, Inc., we’ve fully grasped the concept of true vendor neutral archiving and have consistently offered solutions that have improved the way our clients store, access and share medical imaging. Rural providers are often the ones left out when it comes to finding an affordable but quality VNA solution. We’ve targeted this market with our low-cost and high-functioning solutions. Contact us today and find out how you can improve your processes without stressing your already limited resources.