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Deploying a PACS: Issues to consider

Application Service Provider PACS: Analyzing Costs of Service

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St Paul Radiology Goes Filmless

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St Paul Radiology Goes Filmless

Part 4

“We’re using a high-end eMed system that has been upgraded from PACSPro II server software to incorporate the company’s FRAMEWAVE software as well as incorporating the newest on-demand server capability,” Rasmussen explains. “The system has a modular design, and we will be expanding it to include eMed’s eMed.net web server, RIS/PACS interface, and additional workstations and storage. These changes will all take place within the next 3 months.”

When it came time to choose a PACS vendor, St Paul Radiology looked at the product offerings of several companies, not just eMed.

“Our decision to go with eMed was based on their PACS solution and on what the company presented to us in terms of relationship,” says Olson. “As we reflected on the interactions we had with the vendor candidates, we realized that eMed had treated us with the greatest candor and openness of all. Anytime we had questions, we were given unfettered access to everyone in the company, including the top engineers on down to the staff of the shipping department.

“It was clear that eMed wanted us to enjoy a high comfort level with them, and that’s why they were so accommodating of our inquiries. It was also clear that eMed wanted to become our partner. We came to appreciate that this was a company intending to go far beyond simply selling us a technology solution.”

“This arrangement has paid back huge dividends,” says Olson. “Whenever needed, eMed staff are on-site which has resulted in them having a very clear understanding as to what we’re trying to accomplish with PACS and where we’re going with it. Consequently, the road we’re on has proven much smoother to travel than I think would have been the case otherwise.”

GROWING NEEDS

Back in 1994, when St Paul Radiology first mulled over its need for PACS, the group’s goals concerning the electronic handling of images were well understood.

“When we started our journey to PACS, we wanted to be able to quickly send images from several sites to a radiologist at a centralized location,” Rasmussen recalls.

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