Rural Tennessee network goes on-line to provide new levels of healthcare.
Challenge: Too few radiologists, too many sites
In Jackson Tennessee, radiologists were faced with an all too common scenario: Too few physicians to cover increasing case volumes across multiple, geographically distant facilities. The problem worsened as another facility needed coverage and additional radiology staff was unavailable for months. How could the physicians make better use of their scarcest resource...time?
Background: Radiologist shortage worsens.
Over the last several years the radiologist shortage in the U.S. took its toll on practices everywhere, especially in rural areas. Radiologists were forced out of retirement to help colleagues keep up with demand. Better tools were needed to increase physician productivity and make every minute count. As always, cost was an issue along with the various users' skill level. Doctors needed to be able to view any medical image at any location, any time of the day or night.
The Solution: PACS and the Internet.
The inherent ubiquity of the Internet was the key to the solution. Low cost, high bandwidth connections were secured at all the medical facilities, and a PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) vendor with a mature web server application was chosen. The final piece was to ensure all modalities at the facilities were DICOM compliant. After on-site equipment inspections and overall network assessment, the final design took shape.
The New Workflow: Efficient coverage and lowered costs.
With the medical images accessible from multiple sites, the radiologists could balance the workflow between the various partners, regardless of their location. Reduced travel, workload balancing, and use of advanced computer tools were keys to saving time while increasing coverage. Because the system was based on industry-standard components the overall system cost saved between 100% and 300% of alternate solutions. Additional savings in film printing and courier charges were immediately realized.
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