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Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) is a computerised medical imaging technology used to store, retrieve, present, and share images produced from different radiology modalities, such as MRI, CT, X-ray, and ultrasound. It replaces the roles of conventional imaging technology that uses hard-copy films.
PACS healthcare imaging is a game-changer to the overall medical imaging process, especially its ability to use hybrid cloud storage. This does away with the need for setting up an on-site storage system while making it easier for anyone to access information from anywhere. Here's a detailed look at how cloud storage plays a significant role in the future of PACS Healthcare imaging.
Using cloud solutions for PACS efficiently addresses the increasing need for better, scalable, and efficient ways to access medical images. Cloud-based PACS also avoids the obsolescence nature of in-house servers while providing universal access to medical images from anywhere. Here are more ways that PACS cloud services would benefit healthcare organisations:
Cloud-based PACS can be scaled according to the rising storage demand of a healthcare organisation. If the current storage plan is insufficient, you can easily scale to a better one without buying expensive servers and incurring the cost of installation and management. You also don't need to move your imaging data from one location to another. PACS cloud services also provides the option for extra features that can be added to your data storage environment. These extra features include PACS Based Reporting system, messaging functionality, EPR and shared care record integration and Imaging AIs.
Cloud-based PACS provides a pay-as-you-go option, where healthcare facilities can pay for these services, depending on their needs. This is unlike in-house servers, which require healthcare organisations to set aside an additional budget to cater to the need to expand their data storage capacity. It also reduces the expenses of maintaining on-site servers.
Healthcare organisations using PACS cloud services can scale their storage infrastructure depending on their workload demand. They can also choose between public, private, and hybrid cloud solutions depending on their security needs.
This system allows users to access healthcare imaging data anywhere via different devices. Therefore, different healthcare experts can share vital healthcare imaging data for cross-checking recommendations and report simultaneously about their findings. This helps in enhancing patient care in the long run.
PACS cloud services have also contributed to big data in healthcare. It gathers huge volumes of useful imaging data that researchers can use to study recurring medical conditions and responds to them effectively before they become a public health threat.
Safety is a significant concern while dealing with medical imaging data. However, with PACS cloud services, you're guaranteed safe storage for private patient data. This technology saves data across redundant servers, providing alternative data centres to manage data when one of the centres collapses. This is unlike in-house servers prone to hacking and data loss.
Healthcare facilities are prone to disasters that may result in the loss of imaging data. Fortunately, cloud-based PACS offer a reliable backup plan where all copies of imaging data can be retrieved once a disaster strikes. This ensures that normal business continues and patients receive services without delay.
Since PACS can be integrated with different Radiology Information Systems (RIS), Hospital Information Systems(HIS), Practice Management Software (PMS), and Electronic Medical Records(EMR), the adoption of a cloud-based system brings a whole new dimension into record management. It allows easier access to information by any medical expert who needs to use data imaging information for analysis or improving treatment methods. Besides that, medical experts can access patient records from their offices or homes without needing to go to the hospitals or clinics where they work, cutting down the time spent on diagnosis and recommending effective treatment methods.
Cloud-based PACS seek to solve different healthcare challenges. Here's a closer look at the challenges in the healthcare industry that brings the need for this technology.
Healthcare organisations have witnessed an increasing volume of medical imaging data as imaging technology has improved. This has resulted in the need for bigger storage to handle large volumes of data. In-house servers may prove efficient, but the increasing volumes of data mean that healthcare organisations have to invest more in costly infrastructure.
Thanks to PACS's cloud-based change to solutions, healthcare organisations and facilities have scalable storage options to store their increasing imaging data. Therefore, healthcare facilities don't have to worry about the cost of investing in additional storage to match their increasing volume of medical imaging data.
Traditional healthcare collaborations require doctors and other health experts to deliver medical imaging information physically for assessment and recommendations. Cloud-based PACS have made collaborative care for patients easier since different doctors can view and share patients imaging data from any location. Besides that, this technology's integration with other healthcare systems allows doctors to compare medical records while collaborating with other specialists.
For a long time, sharing medical imaging information has been a difficult task, considering that doctors and researchers relied on films to share imaging data to each other. However, with cloud-based PACS, medical specialists and researchers can access imaging data quickly and easily, allowing collaborative diagnosis and streamlined research.
However, with PACS cloud-based services, healthcare experts can collaborate and give their input on complex medical cases in real time despite the geographical locations. This technology also minimises hospital visits, which saves patients time and money. PACS cloud services also provide digital libraries, crucial knowledge sources for medical researchers. They can access information on demand, stay updated with the latest research, track the progress in their practice, and make necessary improvements.
Managing PACS servers can cost up to $1500 per month, excluding the time spent on regular maintenance. These costs can increase further while scaling the available space to accommodate increasing data volumes. Therefore, healthcare organisations spend a huge chunk of their budget to cater to PACS server-related costs.
However, with cloud-based PACS, healthcare facilities don't need to buy servers or other storage hardware. They only have to pay for the resources they need and increase their payment according to their demand.
Security is a major concern when it comes to storing medical imaging data. Hospitals have the responsibility to keep this information confidential and safe. This has also been a significant challenge for healthcare organisations utilising cloud-based PACS. These systems are prone to Distributed Denial of Services(DDOS) that threatens data centres with poor defence systems. However, most PACS with cloud storage uses high-level security techniques that keep vital data from hackers. An example of the technique used includes encrypting medical images before storing them in the cloud to ensure they're only accessible with a password.
Conventional servers are prone to frequent downtime, which can affect service delivery. This can result in total data loss during disasters. Fortunately, cloud services provide more reliable storage options with proper recovery options, thanks to the redundant servers used to store medical imaging data. In addition to cloud storage, Business Data Backup Services can offer another layer of protection, helping healthcare facilities to swiftly recover critical data and ensure continuity of care. This ensures that vital information is still accessible during system downtime.
Cloud-based PACS are undoubtedly an essential component in modern radiology. They provide fast, reliable, and secure access to patient imaging data, improving diagnosis, treatment, and planning of healthcare practices. It also eliminates the need to store medical images physically.
These systems also incorporate Artificial Intelligence and machine learning, enabling more advanced interpretation and analysis of patient medical images. These cloud-based systems' efficiency and convenience make them a desirable upgrade for any healthcare organisation that relies on traditional in-house PACS storage methods.
Every healthcare organisation desires a cost-effective, reliable, accessible, and scalable storage system for its patient imaging data. Adopting Picture Archiving and Communication Systems with cloud technology guarantees these expectations at the most affordable cost. However, every healthcare organisation has different needs, which must be assessed to choose a cloud-based PACS solution that suits them.
Canon Business Services and Pure Storage offer the best cloud-based PACS solution for different healthcare organisations. Our systems are fully compliant with healthcare regulations, fast, and secure enough to handle vital patient imaging data. Our collaboration with Pure Storage Systems guarantees up to 85% energy efficiency and more than 30% Total Cost Ownership, making it a vital solution for any healthcare organisation.
Contact us today for more information about our services and how they can help.
