Doctors are able to refer their patients directly to specialists and referring doctors via the Internet, in addition to having access to radiology services. The PACS that is hosted on the web delivers digital images to radiologists throughout the country and over the Internet, increasing their satisfaction (literally). Physicians and clinicians who refer patients to the program benefit as well. Patients’ images are more easily accessible to doctors on the web, regardless of whether they are on campus or not, as opposed to traditional film-based access, which is more difficult and time-consuming.
Using Web-based PACS, medical care boundaries can be redefined and workflow redesigned. As an example, let’s look at Inland Imaging. 14 hospitals and clinics in Idaho and Washington receive medical imaging services from an Idaho and Washington company. Aside from 350 employees, the clinic has 55 radiologists and five vascular surgeons on staff. Physician offices and patients can access digitally acquired diagnostic images through the iSite Enterprise PACS (formerly Stentor PACS) from Philips Medical Systems. The 14 hospitals provide radiologists and surgeons with diagnostic imaging using digitally acquired diagnostic images. It is possible to communicate virtually between hospitals using the PACS.
Utilizing the web
A PACS online was chosen by Capital Health System as well. Integrated Web PACS from Dynamic Imaging allows the hospital’s staff to access all of the hos...