Posted by Steven Deaton, Vice President of Healthcare IT, Konica Minolta
Sometimes in order to build the best possible IT solution you must put the status quo out of your mind and start from scratch. And while you’re at it, explore outside industries for potentially adaptable innovations.
This is the approach that led to major advances in IT software for medical imaging, which for years had been faced with a number of challenges, from major bandwidth requirements to a highly regulated operating environment that was intrinsically resistant to change.
Now that great new IT software options for medical imaging have made it to market, they can potentially transform how medical images are accessed and reviewed with patients and physicians at the point-of-care. The focus now is making sure healthcare IT decision makers are familiar with the new highly efficient and effective medical imaging software solutions that are available.
What You Need to Know to Benefit from the Latest Medical Imaging IT
Zero Footprint (ZFP) Technology: It is now possible to view medical images from any computer, without worrying about downloads, plugins or installations. The new Zero Footprint (ZFP) technology allows for the viewing of images from any web browser — even studies from advanced imaging modalities, including PET, CT and 3D mammography.* Because no downloads, plugins or installations are necessary, software updates can be implemented instantly. Giant costly-to-maintain workstations are becoming a thing of the past.
Server-Side Rendering (SSR) Technology: New Server-Side Rendering (SSR) technology makes servers do the heavy lifting instead of requiring individual workstations to load large image files. This allows PET, CT and 3D mammography exams to open immediately, and provides the opportunity for remote access which would otherwise be prohibitive due to large network bandwidth requirements. With SSR, there is a significant (50%+) reduction in network usage.
Performance Metrics and Workload Trackers: New tools can help track performance metrics and workload in a way that flexes to the needs of a practice, instead of requiring the use of a rigid framework that isn’t adaptable to individual office/workflow needs. Workflow-related information, such as daily exam volume and radiologist performance and profitability, can be tracked on a real-time basis, helping to manage efficiencies and accountability of care.
Information Sharing Portals: Since medical images can now be accessed from any computer via server-side rendering, there is much greater flexibility for physician-to-physician and physician-to-patient information sharing. Referring physicians can view images and diagnostic reports through secure, remotely-accessible portals. And customizable patient platforms can share image data and provide other functionality (such as the opportunity to complete administrative forms before appointments) to help streamline care.
All of the above is possible with systems that also assist in achieving Meaningful Use Stage 2 compliance, integrating RIS, PACS and EHR.
About Konica Minolta
Konica Minolta is a world class provider and market leader in medical diagnostic imaging. The company’s Exa platform for PACS, RIS and EHR systems offers unprecedented access to images and information for radiologists and physicians, regardless of location, to support care delivery. Visit www.konicaminolta.com/medicalusa for information on Konica Minolta or http://viztek.net/products/exa-pacs/ for information on the Exa platform.
*Mammographic images should only be viewed with a monitor approved by FDA for viewing Mammographic images. For primary diagnosis, post process DICOM “for presentation” images must be used.
