Clinical Efficiencies Solved by Enterprise Imaging

How to Know When You Need a Modern EI Implementation.

Common Challenge: Wasted staff hours due to workflow inefficiencies associated with importing images from DVD.

Clinical Efficiencies Solved by Enterprise Imaging - Image (Canon Medical)

The scenario is common across healthcare delivery organizations when disparate PACS systems create an inability to easily exchange images. Instead, outdated systems require images to be imported from a DVD or other physical storage mechanism. Because this is cumbersome, a provider is often forced to order a repeat exam that is not medically necessary. This, in turn, creates delays in treatment while waiting for additional images. Physician and patient dissatisfaction results, as care is slow and cumbersome, and the cost of testing is unnecessarily increased.

Common Challenge: Silos of imaging data requiring proprietary viewers.

It’s a consistent issue when imaging data exists in siloed PACS. These silos often require vendor-specific technology to view which creates an inconsistent viewing experience for providers and users. Disparate imaging data silos also contribute to difficulty in combining images into one viewer for comparison across medical specialties. The significant drawback here is the inability to analyze clinical performance data in a holistic manner. When data is not easily assimilated, it’s difficult for providers to put together a comprehensive and accurate diagnosis or care plan.

An enterprise imaging implementation completely breaks down silos through the use of vendor-neutral archiving systems. In today’s world of digital transformation on a dime, it’s too limiting to rely on one vendor system. Instead, healthcare delivery organizations need the ability to connect medical imaging systems without boundaries and regardless of vendor. An EI implementation achieves this silo-free interchange.

Common Challenge: Lack of interoperability between medical imaging systems leaves gaps in patient health history and negatively impacts the patient experience.

Interoperability in healthcare is when different medical technology systems can integrate and communicate with seamless compatibility. When medical imaging systems have interoperability, the exchange of imaging data flows across systems with ease and reliability so healthcare providers have consistent access to imaging results.

Today, many healthcare delivery organizations (HDOs) struggle to achieve interoperability in medical imaging as patient health information is spread across disparate and proprietary systems owned by competing hospitals and healthcare providers.

This fractured state of imaging data means providers cannot see a complete longitudinal record of their patient’s health history. Delays in treatment are the result, as necessary information is acquired manually from various systems. Or, treatment is simply provided without the full scope of information. Another issue with a lack of interoperability is a patient’s inability to view their own health data from their smartphone or online medical portal.

Enterprise imaging systems are powerful catalysts for change in the medical model. When an EI system is implemented with interoperability in mind, imaging data can be exchanged automatically at lightning speed between systems and between hospitals across the country. This advanced and automated exchange of information provides unmatched visibility for doctors and practitioners into a patient’s health history.

Enterprise Imaging has Powerful Capabilities

The healthcare industry is in a constant state of change, and thanks to the last few decades, the rate of change has intensified. With the digital revolution upending almost every industry in the country, healthcare delivery organizations should capitalize on the opportunity to leverage digital systems for advanced medical imaging. With an optimized EI strategy, the challenges that typically plague healthcare can be addressed.

 

Learn more about Enterprise Imaging as a PACS replacement.

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