Images Anywhere, Anytime: Web-based PACS & RIS/PACS

for nearly instantaneous consults, helping ROA better meet its patients’ needs on-site and in a timely, convenient manner. In addition, integrated orthopedic templating allows physicians to template extremely efficiently and accurately, says Barba. ROA orthopedic surgeons often use the system to template in patient rooms, which facilitates patient education and efficiency. Another key pre-investment consideration centers on the physician learning curve. Many sysTechnologist Nicole Pieschel scans a patient. tems have similar functionality, but have been designed with different workflows and attention to overall ease of use. Systems with hefty learning curves can discourage physicians and yield less than optimal adoption. The Centricity learning curve is nearly instantaneous, says Barba. Integrated Orthocrat TraumaCad, a Web-based solution that incorporates all orthopedic templates and surgical planning capabilities, is another feature. Physicians can learn to use TraumaCad fairly rapidly; however, the software packs a plethora of powerful features. There are immediate benefits like improved accuracy and the ability to template from home, or wherever an internet connection is available. In addition, Barba and his colleagues continually find new tips and tricks. For example, Barba emails templated PACS images to his company [prosthetic] representative as an adjunct to a list of case essentials. “That way we are all on the same page before the case and the rep knows what I am thinking before we enter the OR,” explains Barba. “Everyone used to refer to diagnostic imaging as the bottleneck of the clinic,” says Nicole Pieschel, x-ray technologist and PACS administrator. Prior to PACS, techs and patients had to wait 90 seconds each time a film printed. With PACS, techs can review images immediately, in a single mouse-click. “It adds up over the course of a day,” explains Pieschel. As patients zip through diagnostic imaging, physician efficiency improves. Before PACS, ROA hip and knee surgeons might have seen 40 to 50 patients a day. PACS-driven workflow increases volume up to 40 percent, to 60 to 70 patients daily. A less clear, but also compelling, revenue factor emerges on the patient side. “Patients know about imaging technology, and being on the leading edge of imaging technology helps us market our practice and increase patient confidence,” sums Barba. Looking ahead ROA adopted PACS during a growth phase, and the practice continues to mature. Currently, ROA is housed in one progressive building, but it expects to open additional facilities in the future. “Satellite clinics are in our plans, and we are confident that we have the connectivity and digital solutions to establish new clinics anywhere,” shares Schreiner. The new standard Orthopedic practices have reached a turning point. State-of-the-art digital image management technology is the new standard. “Practices need to invest in digital image management as fast as they can in a fiscally responsible manner,” states Schreiner. The payoffs are significant with the smart adopters reaping increased efficiency, productivity and improved patient care. ■ it infrastructure at a Glance rockford Orthopedic associates planned its it infrastructure to support digital image management for the long haul. two years after deployment, the system is going strong and the practice is eyeing expansion. it Manager/PaCs administrator Jeff Campisi details how they did it. Optimized efficiency + patient care = maximized revenue “Physicians want to know several specifics before investing in any technology. Will it improve patient care, streamline the practice or increase efficiency and profitability?” Barba questions. Web-based PACS meets all of the objectives. “We can’t even begin to measure cost-savings achieved since deploying GE Centricity PACS OfficeIW,” Schreiner says. Reduced costs originate from several sources including elimination of storage, film and chemicals. Plus, Schreiner estimates each technologist can double or triple output in the PACS workflow. “We can’t assign a dollar value to the ability of physicians to review studies at home,” notes Schreiner. Despite the clear fiscal advantages of PACS, he insists practices should not base their PACS implementations on return on investment (ROI). “It must be done. It’s like being HIPAA-compliant.” Another source of cost-savings is enhanced patient flow. At ROA, digital image management has improved patient throughput and efficiency as techs can archive and retrieve patient films in seconds. ✓ Cisco gigabit switches throughout the building ✓ Gigabit network cards for all PaCs workstations ✓ Clustered servers for redundancy and failover ✓ single flat-panel monitors in 35 exam rooms and nine dual-screen workstations in physician pod areas ✓ 2.8tb storage area Network (saN) ✓ 54 Megabit wireless connections for wireless access to the eMr 16 Health Imaging & IT | Images, Anywhere, Anytime: Web-Based PACS & RIS/PACS July 2008

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Images Anywhere, Anytime: Web-based PACS & RIS/PACS

Images Anywhere, Anytime: Web-based PACS & RIS/PACS Contents Why Web-based PACS Works for the Community Hospital Keeping Referrals Coming: Neuroradiology Group Reaps PACS Benefits Tracking Imaging Center Operations with Web-based RIS/PACS Teleradiology Group Shows Strong Growth Demands Strong PACS Replacement PACS: How to Plan, Purchase & Put It in Place PACS Optimizes Orthopedics Practice

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