Top 10 Reasons to Select an Integrated RIS/PACS/Speech Solution from a Single Vendor – Imaging Center Solutions

Agfa owns the underlying technologies of RIS, PACS, Speech Recognition and the connectivity tools for a complete radiology IT solution, which puts Agfa in a unique position to offer a single, integrated workflow for maximum productivity.

Single Vendor Convenience, Accountability and Value

  • Leverage economies of scale. The benefits include a more streamlined selection process, faster overall implementation and service cost savings.
  • Saves time and eases the management process through a single relationship. A single vendor solution means a single contact, able to manage the many facets of an implementation--from project management through to installation and user training.

Increases confidence that your solution components are cohesive today and in the future.

  • A decision to select a single source vendor for your entire key RIS, PACS, and Speech workflow, document management, mammography tracking, billing and practice analysis needs will provide a higher level of convenience, accountability and value because your vendor is responsible for developing all of these functions and the supporting native integration. Elimination of Interface Complexity and Cost
  • With native integration standards such as DICOM and HL-7 built into the system, you can avoid the need for a separate, external "broker" and can also save thousands of dollars in interface fees, typically charged by individual vendors involved.
  • Because data is exchanged between the RIS/PACS/Speech real-time, you can avoid network slowdowns caused by the need to move interfaces through a network. In addition, latency issues in transferring data between RIS/PACS/Speech systems can be eliminated.
  • Streamlines and simplifies the interface deployment process. In a multiple vendor situation, this process can typically take several days to several months and includes managing vendor communication, document preparation, interface testing and organizing vendor work schedules.

Single Desktop Efficiencies

  • Simplifies use by allowing access to relevant information and voice and image management tools with a single sign-on and integrated worklist and user interface. The frustration of having multiple usernames and passwords to access multiple systems and worklists for RIS, PACS and Speech can be completely avoided.
  • Radiologists will experience time saving and an improved user experience while working on a single solution resulting in a shorter, faster learning curve.

RIS/PACS Interoperability

  • Improves productivity by allowing the radiologist to automatically access an integrated worklist to view relevant current or prior clinical information through the native, bi-directional integration built into the RIS/PACS.
  • Offers greater flexibility to the radiologist and technologist by offering interface options based on a preferred work style. Separate systems can force the user into a PACS or RIS driven worklist environment.

Data Accuracy Improvements

  • Saves time. All data is entered once and flows through real-time across all systems, thus saving time from having to update patient data (such as demographics) on multiple systems.
  • Improves data integrity by eliminating the need for separate data entry. Through automatic reconciliation of orders and studies, the chance of mismatching a patient to a study is minimized and manual reconciliation process by the technologists is reduced.

Increased Productivity, Profitability and Referring Practice Satisfaction

  • With a single integrated worklist, users reduce or eliminate repetitive or manual tasks, resulting in increased throughput and productivity.
  • Improves report turnaround time, and thus enhances Referring Physician satisfaction and your competitive advantage.

Efficient Implementation

  • Significantly reduces installation and user training time.
  • Increases efficiency through a single vendor project manager. Implementation stages can be overlapped because the same vendor is in charge of scheduling all the necessary actions and people involved in the process.
  • Realizes economies of scale related to implementation, training service, and travel fees.

Faster Support Resolution

  • A single vendor for your key radiology workflow requirements means one phone number and source for support. Your vendor will know your facility and will quickly be able to trouble shoot problems across your systems to resolve issues.

Reduction in System Administration

  • Eliminates/reduces the need to maintain multiple, separate workstations. The systems work consistently with each other as hardware requirements are clearly specified.
  • Enhances communication and support with a single point-of-contact and reduce vendor conflicts.

Experience a Better Relationship with Your Vendor

  • A single vendor with an integrated solution works with you to help you achieve your business goals. Your needs become a priority.