Knowing When to Switch up Your PACS and VNA Solutions
Since its introduction to the market just a little more than a dec
ade ago, vendor neutral archiving (VNA) has made its mark and is here to stay. When it comes to medical imaging, PACS are no longer the only topic of conversation. Today, it’s all about PACS and VNA.
Part of the reason there is so much talk about PACS and VNA is that the landscape has changed – there are different expectations regarding healthcare, which has affected the way providers store and share data, which includes medical imaging. The question many providers are asking today is, “when do I know when to upgrade my PACS and VNA?”
There are many choices out there today – vendors who offer a PACS solution, vendors that offer a PACS solution with some VNA attributes, and vendors who are solely VNA focused. To make matters a little more confusing, not all vendors have the same definition of VNA, perhaps because it’s a relatively new technology.
If it’s true VNA you are looking for, pick a vendor that offers a solution that will support DICOM and non-DICOM content. The VNA should be capable of aggregating query results from many disparate PACS from various locations. True VNA will include built-in software that is used for future migration of data. Also, true VNA will be able to perform HL7 or DICOM modality work.
Medical facilities are expected to be able to share more information today, due in part to patients seeing multiple providers, each of which need access to the same data. Also, Meaningful Use regulations are pushing change in the industry, especially in the latest phase, which requires radiology professionals to have their exam reports available electronically within 24 hours of the completion of the examination. For facilities behind on their electronic medical records capabilities, this is an especially difficult time.
Another situation to ponder is what is needed in the future. As IT professionals in the healthcare industry look at the technology they need to implement now, they’re also looking down the road at what might be required of their facility a decade from now. This is a difficult task because technology changes rapidly. However, one variable that they can control is their projected data growth and data storage needs. What hospitals are looking for is a solution that gives them the storage and sharing capabilities they need today and options for tomorrow that won’t involve a long, complicated and costly migration.
Providers today are also looking at their mobility options as they seek out an upgrade. PACS and VNA solutions are giving them this mobility and greater access to communication between the medical provider and the patient. For instance, doctors are able to use a tablet computer, take it into the patient’s room and have a discussion about the medical images being displayed on the tablet.
OffSite Image Management, Inc. is a company that knows all about the data archiving and sharing needs of the healthcare industry. Contact us today and we’ll discuss options for your facility.