Imation's New PACS Version 3.5 Brings Enhanced Workflow Management, Greater Speed

Business Wire, Nov 30, 1998

CHICAGO--(BW HealthWire)--Nov. 30, 1998--

Technology Reflects Commitment to Continuous Innovation

At the Radiological Society of North America's annual meeting, Imation Corp. (NYSE: IMN) is showcasing its Imation PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) version 3.5, featuring the AutoRad Diagnostic Workstation and ArchiveManager information storage solution. Imation PACS 3.5 includes the radiologist-friendly attributes of version 3.0, and adds enhanced workflow management features and greater speed, as well as a host of new tools that make filmless diagnostic imaging more productive and user-friendly.

The Imation AutoRad Diagnostic Workstation -- designed by radiologists in a clinical setting -- is an intuitive workstation that allows users to make primary diagnostic radiology readings in a soft-copy, digital format using "hanging" protocols specified by each radiologist.

The Imation ArchiveManager System is an automated digital storage solution that uses a distributed, object-oriented database. The ArchiveManager System intelligently collects, stores and distributes current and prior examinations using pre-determined, site-specific rules.

Enhanced workflow management

Connectivity to HIS/RIS (hospital information systems/radiology information systems) is at the core of Imation PACS 3.5's enhanced workflow management. The system provides fully automated prefetching of relevant prior radiology studies for comparison to current studies and routes both sets to appropriate locations throughout the PACS network. The RIS connectivity also makes diagnostic reports available at radiologists' and clinicians' workstations, providing significant time savings to the radiologist department as well as enterprise-wide.

Imation PACS 3.5 further improves workflow management with customizable reading features based on a radiologist's individual preferences. Building on previous versions of Imation's PACS, version 3.5 simplifies diagnostic reading by offering enhanced hanging protocols that can be defined for each radiologist by modality, body part and/or technique, as well as number and types of relevant studies. A drag-and-drop feature, meanwhile, simplifies series and image placement by moving thumbnail images to allow radiologists to create their desired individual reading environments.

Better speed and performance

Imation PACS 3.5 features Imation Fibre Channel, the latest in ultra high-speed image delivery technology. Imation Fibre Channel allows several additional AutoRad systems to be linked in a workgroup -- or collaborative workflow -- and increases the speed of the network more than fivefold compared to traditional networks while maintaining maximum operating speed of each AutoRad System. By expanding the collaborative workflow, radiology staff efficiency is improved through greater network speed and the ability to more easily share work.

Other Imation PACS 3.5 features that improve performance and speed include:

-- Bookmarks. Saves studies in their viewed state for later viewing

in conferences, after interruptions, for STAT reads, or for use

in teaching files to identify relevant pathology.

-- Series sorting. AutoRad System 3.5 can now sort by position,

acquisition type, echo or other clinical information to improve

computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) reading and

presentation.

-- Snake paging. Allows complete flexibility to move studies

image-by-image, row-by-row and page-by-page for comparative

viewing.

-- Body part dictionary. Allows users to associate similar body

parts so that the system identifies them as the same part. In CT,

for example, the terms head, brain and skull often are used

interchangeably. Using these synonyms, the Imation PACS would

identify and display appropriate prior studies automatically when

a radiologist selects an unread patient's study.

Like all previous offerings, Imation ArchiveManager 3.5 provides full, automated backup for images and information in the database through either built-in redundancy on the primary archive or with an additional, backup archive. This enables digital, on-site storage and provides facilities with the option to have full data redundancy without the need to invest in another server.

Added serviceability

Imation PACS is backed by Imation's world-class service organization. Prior to installation, Imation performs a clinical DICOM validation that ensures the communication channels between devices are compatible, but also makes certain that the most accurate clinical information is passed along.

Once the PACS is installed, version 3.5 also provides tools for remote and on-site service to ensure maximum system uptime. For example, remote access software allows service personnel or a facility's administration to access and monitor the system for routine maintenance. Meanwhile, should there be a problem with mission-critical functions, the archive and display stations automatically e-mail and page service personnel for prompt repair. Imation is able to make PACS and teleradiology repairs remotely the vast majority of the time with this tool.