Instead of upgrading its existing PACS system, Christiana Care Health System (CCHS), Wilmington, DE, switched to the web-based Philips iSite PACS. The choice was right for the network of more than a dozen facilities serving 1.2 million patients in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey. CCHS includes two hospitals, a Level I trauma center, and 11 satellites.

Using iSite PACS allows image access across their enterprise, including ER, OR, nursing units and other clinical departments at all the locations. Connection to third-party software is also a huge plus.

The health system phased in the new PACS in a pilot approach, building and testing critical connections in real time. They started with CT and MR in January 2006 and added CR and DR modalities in March of that year.

"Philips iSite Enterprise provides just-in-time image access to our referring physicians; iSite Radiology is used by our radiologists and residents, and we use iVault as our off-site storage and disaster recovery solution," said Robert Garrett, administrative director of radiology at CCHS. "The system has changed the way we work, the way we think, and the way we care for our patients. We are completely satisfied."

Garrett reported that within eight weeks of going live, the organization reduced its total report turnaround time from 20 to12 hours and cut film costs by 95 percent, resulting in a $500,000 cost savings. The faster reporting is a direct result of radiologists' access. In fact, radiology efficiency has increased 14 percent by not having to hunt down or hang films, CCHS reports. Improved access by ER and OR physicians also contributes to patient care.

In addition to clinical benefits, administrators love the improvement. For instance, auditing of cases is easier since files and records are all associated with each patient's record. The benefits compound when it's time to prepare case studies for presentations or educational use at the teaching hospital.

Perhaps more important for the non-profit system is the predictable cost of ownership. Philips iSite Enterprise is installed on 6,700 workstations at their 13 facilities. Pricing is based on a fee-per-study business model. "Having a predictable cost of ownership model is important not only for annual budgeting, but it is a critical component when planning for new imaging service locations," Garrett said. "We know up front what our costs are and they remain consistent regardless of how many new facilities we add."

He noted that the pricing model includes system maintenance and expansion of server capacity as needed.

The system also draws raves from IT. A challenge to the adoption of any new PACS system is its degree of connectivity to the installed software that clinicians have grown familiar with. Philips iSite's Application Programming Interface is a platform that allows interoperability with advanced clinical applications including EHR, Clinical Information Systems and Radiology Information Systems from dozens of third parties. This ensures that clinicians can keep the specialty software they prefer and already know.

Source: Philips Healthcare

Ed note: A report on PACS appears in the March 2009 issue of DOTmed Business News, now online at https://www.dotmed.com/news/story/8313.

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