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Users discuss key benefits of Web-based PACS: integration, access and availability. September 2009 "Web-based PACS is one of those technologies that we just can't believe we ever got along without," says Don McClendon, imaging services director of Marshall Medical Centers, Boaz and Guntersville, Ala. And he's not alone in his thinking.
"We have an 'archive-centric' model with anywhere, anytime immediate viewing of all studies," he says. "There is no need for a tech to push studies to a specific workstation." All studies-including CT, MRI, computed radiography, fluoroscopy, ultrasound, PET /CT, SPECT /CT, nuclear cardiology and general nuclear medicine--are available immediately wherever they're needed. This migration away from disc and film storage as well as modality-specific workstations has greatly improved workflow at many hospitals. "This amounts to the availability of images so that the most qualified subspecialty radiologists can interpret cases most efficiently from anywhere," says Dr. Green. "And improved access now allows current and comparison exams to be viewed immediately, regardless of the modality."
"Just about anything the end user wants to do with a study is right at their fingertips," adds McClendon. "Most functions are icon-driven and just one click away ... pan, zoom, window, level, sort, search--you name it. Even with its simplicity, it has all the functionality any techno-geek could ever want."
Web-based PACS also enables much shorter report turnaround times, and the shared user interface allows for easy adoption and improved consulting capabilities with specialists and referrers. "Orthopedic surgeons on call [decide] whether to come back tonight for an operation or have the emergency physician splint the extremity and follow up in the morning from the comfort of their bedrooms," says McClendon. "Similar decisions are made by other specialists. Family practice physicians depend on having the images and report in their offices before the patient can drive from one of our imaging sites back to their office for follow-up care."
Likewise, managers and radiologists can troubleshoot and consult on cases off-site with an Internet connection and inexpensive off-the-shelf hardware. Flexible and affordable, storage and workstation/clinical viewers can be added anytime, says Dr. Green, noting that this type of platform leaves "the growth up to you."
When considering PACS, ensure a joint assessment in which end-users play a major role, as the fully digital transition will challenge the department. "Assemble a team of enterprise supporters--including administrators, IT personnel, physicians and technologist super-users--to meet regularly, and make and implement suggestions to ensure complete adoption and success," advises Dr. Green.
He suggests that when selecting a Web-based PACS, you find a vendor that will listen to your needs and suggestions, make workflow recommendations and update its product frequently. "Ideally, your relationship with your PACS vendor begins at 'go live' --but must be effective every day after that."
Imaging Technology News May 2011 Intuitive Imaging Informatics Exhibits Rational Imaging PACS
Intuitive Imaging Informatics will feature many new developments encompassing both its Rational Imaging PACS as well as the ImageQube Web-based PACS. The ImageQube now includes a fully-automated, personal DVD/CD burner capability, providing exams, reports and key image displays of both primary and rendered data (PET Fusion), for Windows users.
New developments for Rational Imaging PACS include the expansion of PET Fusion with the ability to facilitate workflow by performing full-body MIPs and Volume ROI. Efficient memory management now allows for simultaneous display of comparison exams for ease of use, including available priors, as well as saving annotations.
Mammography reading has been improved with the development of MG Overlays and Presentation State to better harness data from digital mammography scanners, as well as MG Scoring.
Flexibility is reportedly furthered by new exam assignment and Custom Auto-Load Worklist efficiencies, giving physicians a more focused personal perspective.
Intuitive Imaging Informatics LLC www.intuitiveimaging.com
Imaging Technology News May 2011 Web-Based PACS offers Mammography Screening
The ImageQube Web-based PACS offers efficient mammography screening, CAD display capabilities and toolbars and thumbnails on each monitor. The system also features One-Click Interpretation, which opens an exam in a preferred template while auto-loading the priors. It also launches the dictation module and makes RIS-related paperwork available. Intuitive Imaging Informatics www.intuitiveimaging.com
Medical Imaging Magazine/ Imaging Economics 2008
The Future of Thin
Image Magazine RT-IMAGE.COM
Intuitive Imaging Informatics LLC will unveil real-time functionality with its lmageQube Web-based PACS. Debuting on the lmageQube are advanced visualization tools, including multi-planar reconstruction.
The real-time volume rendering, developed by Calgary Scientific, simplifies the complex 3-D interface through the use of a "Lens Tool," designed to examine a specific anatomic region. Intuitive is also introducing integrated diagnostic interpretation, offering voice recognition, digital dictation, and transcription capabilities.
Intuitive Imaging Informatics upgrades Regional Radiology
AtlantiCare Regional
Medical Center Install Intuitive Imaging Informatics
PACS vendor Intuitive Imaging Informatics of Bell Canyon,
Regional Radiology Install Intuitive Imaging Informatics LLC (Los Angeles) announced a PACS upgrade for Regional Radiology (Staten Island, NY). The contract includes upgrading Regional Radiology's software with Intuitive Imaging's Rational Imaging 8.2 system. |
