PACS (Picture Archiving Communications System)
Services & Support

Are you preparing to implement a RIS/PACS system, replace one already installed, or need assistance in assessing your current PACS environment? With over 5 years of experience combined with knowledge of the leading software and hardware vendor offerings, Infohealth is well positioned to assist you.

We offer a full spectrum of RIS/PACS services:

Consulting

Strategic Planning - Develop an enterprise-wide digital imaging/PACS strategic plan

Needs Analysis - Define and document RIS/PACS needs prior to vendor evaluation and selection

Readiness Assessment - Review the current organization, physician, staff, equipment, information systems, billing systems, and internal technical ability to identify areas requiring improvement prior to system implementation

Tactical/Implementation Planning - Develop a detailed RIS/PACS implementation plan covering all areas from technology to clinician with appropriate milestones

Workflow Design - Design and document a workflow that maximizes the benefits to the clinician technologist

System Selection & Contract Negotiations - Assist in selecting the right vendor for your environment and negotiating a contract that clearly denotes your needs and expectations

Capital & Operational Budget Planning - Develop a detailed capital and operating budget for RIS/PACS implementation and operation

Project Management

Implementation of RIS/PACS with the imaging center can make or break careers. Within most Imaging Centers, the implementation of RIS/PACS is highly visible, carries a large price tag, and is mission critical to the imaging center operation. Infohealth offers a complete range of project management and implementation services.

The first step, Site Evaluation & Design, creates a site plan that will achieve the technology requirements and maximizes workflow improvement. The RIS/PACS system is then tailored to your unique environment. Execution is key - implementation done with careful attention paid to process management. Without proper training, the best implementations can fail. Infohealth will assist in developing a complete training program. Finally, reviewing successes and shortcomings and developing a Remediation Plan is imperative for lasting success.

Image Management

Implementation of a RIS/PACS system creates a need for an enormous digital storage capability. Typical flaws common in PACS implementations are the underestimation of digital storage needs and the lack of planning for the loss of a storage facility. Important considerations for Image Management include:

Enterprise Image Retention Planning - To reduce long-term digital imaging costs

Storage and Archival Technology - To ensure rapid access to images while minimizing cost

Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity Plan - To minimize the threat of image loss

Network Infrastructure

Organizations normally require a significant investment in storage capability, and must increase both network bandwidth and desktop computing capacity considerably. Infohealth will assist your organization in defining your overall network requirements, as well as the management process relative to the installation and implementation of new hardware components.

Network Bandwidth Requirements - Define throughput requirements based on modalities, image sizes and volumes from the network backbone to the desktop

Network Traffic Management - Design a network trafficking solution that will optimize performance

Web Servers - A much more cost-effective approach for distributing images to clinicians rather than buying high-priced radiology workstations

Workstations - Develop the specifications to ensure diagnostic quality workstations with the ability to open multiple studies and ready-toread images

System Integration

The real benefits of RIS/PACS are achieved only when the system is integrated with your environment. Infohealth will help you develop and implement a full range of interfaces to other enterprise applications as well as direct integration with current imaging technology.

Modalities (CT, MRI, Mammography, etc.) - Integration of current and future modalities

Hospital Information Systems - Development of interfaces for the enterprise-wide information system

Radiology Billing System - Capture for Radiology and other medical specialties

Image Access (Internal and Remote) - Establishment of image access tools and remote viewing (portals, etc.)

 

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