This report originally appeared in the March 2009 issue of DOTmed Business News
This was a line from a famous Apple Computers commercial. When asked what they were doing, two employees struggling with a PC install tell their manager they are getting more efficient. The response was humorous, but it might not be too far from the realities faced by radiology practices today.
Adding PACS or RIS to your imaging practice makes sense as imaging is transitioned from analog to digital. When radiology was beginning to feel the pinch of reduced reimbursement, many administrators were saying they were planning to acquire PACS and RIS software to increase efficiency. Do more with less, a good goal, but an elusive one for many. Often the result of adding PACS, RIS and EMR was more expense and complexity and no increase in volume or revenue. What happened?
Ad Statistics
Times Displayed: 110005
Times Visited: 6644 MIT labs, experts in Multi-Vendor component level repair of: MRI Coils, RF amplifiers, Gradient Amplifiers Contrast Media Injectors. System repairs, sub-assembly repairs, component level repairs, refurbish/calibrate. info@mitlabsusa.com/+1 (305) 470-8013
Poor planning, that's what happened. Many of today's technological "advancements" are not intuitive. This results in a lengthy learning curve and extra effort. What to do?
Before you buy, build a definition of your practice. What do you do? How do you operate? What are your strengths and weaknesses? And most important, where do you want to be in two to five years? With this definition in place you can develop a specification for the software and hardware you'll need to meet legislated EMR implementation and take advantage of the real value of PACS and RIS.
Your specification will help you rate and compare the offerings from the many companies in the field. I suspect you'll find no single vendor has the answer to all of your needs, but one will be better than the rest. If you decide to choose modules from more than one vendor, make certain compatibility is guaranteed.
Before you commit to any solution, determine whether you wish to own, lease or pay per use. Maybe a web-based solution works for you. Remember that this technology is changing rapidly with advances in hardware and software. How will you be protected from early obsolescence?
Digital solutions can make your imaging department more efficient and boost profitability. But, before you decide to digitize, know what you need and don't be distracted by the many "cool" but often unnecessary bells and whistles.
