Here’s everything you need to know about the future of cloud-based PACS for medical imaging.
Key Takeaways:
- PACS (picture archiving and communication system) solutions represent one of the fastest-growing healthcare technology segments.
- Cloud-based PACS solutions provide healthcare organizations with anywhere, anytime access to imagery databases.
- New data security requirements and the increasing need to improve patient outcomes are among the biggest factors driving the demand for cloud-based PACS solutions.
- Hospitals, cardiology offices, and other healthcare organizations look poised to adopt cloud PACS solutions in the years to come, which will accelerate the growth of the global healthcare PACS market.
- Store XR from DICOM Director enables healthcare organizations to use a custom cloud-based PACS solution for seamless image storage and management.
Cloud-based PACS (picture archiving and communication system) solutions are driving the new reality of healthcare. They empower clinicians, patients, and healthcare organizations with seamless and secure access to medical images. As a result, demand for cloud PACS is increasing, and this trend appears likely to continue in the years to come.
What do cloud PACS solutions offer to healthcare organizations?
Healthcare organizations can use cloud-based PACS solutions for image and report storage, retrieval, management, distribution, and presentation. Users can also digitally transmit images via a PACS solution, so facilities no longer need to manually file, retrieve or transport film jackets.
Also, cloud PACS solutions enable healthcare organizations to provide remote access to images and ensure users can store, view, and share images internally and externally.
What healthcare factors are driving demand for cloud-based PACS solutions?
New requirements are being developed and implemented for the storage, management, and transfer of healthcare information. Cloud-based PACS solutions can improve data security, providing safe and secure data storage that is less prone to damage from hardware failure or internal network security breaches.
PACS solutions can also help save money and time, as reflected in a study of PACS solutions for imaging of radiological films in a cardiac surgical intensive care unit.
In the study, researchers calculated the costs of a radiograph performed in a traditional way and compared it to the cost of a radiograph done using a PACS solution. They concluded that PACS offers a cost-effective way to digitize, archive, and transmit images of radiological films. They concluded that PACS solutions can help healthcare organizations become more efficient, reduce their operating costs, and improve communication among personnel.
PACS solutions are easy to use, too. They enable users to automatically transfer patients’ medical data files to a secure cloud server when they are visualized. This data is then available to healthcare professionals from around the world, ensuring they can use it to improve patient outcomes.
Why cloud-based PACS solutions are must-haves for modern healthcare facilities
In order to optimize the benefits of PACS solutions, healthcare facilities must choose the right ones. Today, many organizations leverage on-site PACS solutions, but cloud-based PACS are set to be the cheaper, more reliable, and more accessible solution of the future.
Cloud-based PACS offers greater flexibility than an on-site system. They let healthcare organizations rely exclusively on the cloud for data storage, which eliminates the need for expensive data storage hardware.
Along with eliminating data storage costs, cloud PACS help healthcare organizations reduce their carbon emissions. Data storage centers require significant amounts of electricity to run 24/7. Comparatively, cloud PACS ensure all data is stored in a secure, easy-to-access cloud environment run off-site in a dedicated, efficient data storage facility.
Cloud PACS solutions enable healthcare organizations to comply with data security mandates as well. The solutions use documented HIPAA enforcement rules and Health-Level 7 (HL7) transmission protocols that ensure all data is encrypted.
Cloud-based PACS solutions make it simple for doctors and other healthcare practitioners to access patient data, as well. As long as an internet connection is available, healthcare workers can use cloud-based PACS to retrieve patient data. They can then review this information to accurately diagnose patients and provide them with exceptional care and support.
Finally, cloud PACS can help healthcare professionals reduce their workloads. The solution streamlines data storage and management and empowers these professionals to seamlessly collaborate with one another. The result: Healthcare professionals can spend less time on data storage and management tasks and more time doing their part to assist patients.
Global healthcare cloud PACS trends to watch
The global healthcare cloud PACS market is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 8.4% between 2020 and 2026. This market could be worth $800.7 million by 2026.
Hospitals have been the biggest adopters of PACS solutions to date. The increasing complexities in diseases and rising demand for early diagnosis solutions are expected to accelerate PACS adoption among hospitals.
The use of PACS solutions in the cardiology sector is expected to grow, too. Research indicates that the increasing number of cardiac disorders could drive PACS adoption across the sector.
Find the right cloud PACS solution for your healthcare organization
Store XR from DICOM Director is a cloud PACS solution that can be customized to your healthcare organization. It was built from the ground up to provide maximum flexibility and ensures that healthcare professionals can quickly and easily access images stored in the cloud.
Healthcare organizations can use Store XR to maintain a central source for all of their images. Store XR can be connected to any DICOM-compliant device and utilized in conjunction with RIS or EHR/EMR systems. The solution offers TLS and data at rest encryption for advanced data protection. It also provides storage segregation and private tag assignment, and it is compliant with FDA, HIPAA, and DICOM standards.
Store XR enables healthcare organizations to deploy a cloud-based PACS solution that can serve them well now and in the future. For more information about Store XR, please contact us today or click here to request a free trial.
