Ingalls Memorial Selects Medcon's TCS Cardiac Image Management and Archiving for Cath and Echo Labs

Business Wire, Feb 20, 2001

Health & Medical Writers

WHIPPANY, N.J.--(BW HealthWire)--Feb. 20, 2001

Medcon Telemedicine Technology Inc. (Whippany, N.J.), and Mennen Medical Corp. (Clarence, N.Y.) announce selection of Medcon's TCS Cardiac Image Management and Archiving by Ingalls Memorial Hospital (Harvey, Ill.) to provide digital image management and archiving for both its x-ray angiography and echocardiology labs.

A key factor in the decision was the ability of Medcon's TCS to provide integrated solutions combining the two modalities. This includes sharing of the same cardiac network and archive as well as display of both on a single screen for diagnosis.

"We felt the department would become much more efficient if we eliminated film in the cath lab as well as videotape in the echo lab and utilized the same application and hardware to integrate both modalities into a single electronic patient," said P. Sandy Sundram, M.D., Medical Director of Cardiac Services for Ingalls Memorial Hospital.

After carefully investigating the market, Sundram found extremely few companies with a track record in filmless cath lab solutions and even fewer that offered integrated digital image management for echocardiography.

Ingalls chief technologist Kathy Stone, RT, spent over one year investigating competing vendors, and the entire department participated in the final decision-making process that resulted in the selection of Medcon's TCS. They felt TCS offered the best solution, including several unique and extremely useful features.

Crucial to the department was the ability to burn studies onto CDs for second opinions and communication with referring physicians. "This enables us to send out first-generation data as well as to pare down copying costs while safeguarding our original studies," commented Stone. "Medcon's self-playing CD option eliminates the need for software installation on the end users' computers and meets all of our other needs."

Medcon's TCS also meets all of Ingalls' additional criteria. It utilizes off-the-shelf hardware, paring down installation costs as well as costs of future upgrades. Along with this, it provides an extremely user-friendly interface and the open architecture that would simplify future upgrades.

The new Ingalls installation includes DICOM acquisition and review stations in each of the hospital's two cath labs. A review station in the doctors' reading room is available for reading of both angio and echo studies. A DICOM interface ties the existing echo imaging systems into the TCS DICOM cardiac network. Large-scale short- and long-term storage for both modalities are provided by a RAID and jukebox.

"We know TCS will cut costs by allowing us to save on cine film usage and development and will also help us increase profits by enabling us to handle an increased patient load," comments Sundrum. "It has already made us more efficient and freed up storage space which we are now using for other purposes."

"Every customer will reap significant benefits with our new combined angiography and echocardiology system," comments Uzi Blumensohn, Medcon CEO. "They will enjoy increased efficiency and convenience, while significantly minimizing costs through elimination of hardware duplication in the two labs. Medcon's traditional high level of commitment to customers satisfaction means we are now offering the best-of-breed solutions for both modalities." He adds: "Our partnership with Mennen Medical for sales, service and support in select U.S. regions has proven extremely successful."

Medcon Telemedicine Technology, Inc. develops and markets a complete line of turnkey solutions for cardiac image management and archiving under the TCS name. It addresses a full spectrum of needs, from diagnostic filmless image management and archiving for cath and echo labs, as well as exchange of cardiac images and information (telecardiology) to Internet/intranet distribution of cardiac images. Offering a wide variety of value-added benefits, TCS is a leader in both function and customizable features. The TCS product line employs open architecture and strictly adheres to DICOM 3.0, HL7 as well as related industry standards. TCS supports most cardiac-related imaging modalities, including X-ray angiography, echocardiography as well as MRI, NM and CT. It incorporates state of the art archiving including state of the art DVD-based solutions.

Medcon has extensive experience installing and servicing image network and telecardiology sites. Its solutions are implemented in leading cardiac centers across the U.S., Europe, Japan and South America. The company is ranked top in customer satisfaction. For more information, contact Medcon, Inc., Whippany, N.J., at 973-884-0202. Visit the Medcon website at www.medcon.com.