General Electric VANTAGE PACS and RPMS RIS

Situation Denver Allen Lodge Need to transition Radiology department of the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage, Alaska, from image interpretation via X-ray film on light boxes to digital images on (4K) high resolution PACS network work stations on a fast digital imaging Ethernet network with a fast image archive, with an acceptable amount of digital image storage and retreaval capability in order to handle the Medical Center’s Radiology workload plus 26 new rural bush and Arctic clinic digital images added to the workflow. Task We needed to create capability for obtaining digital images for all modalities and networking these images on a Picture Archive and Communication System (PACS) Network permitting fast image distribution and real-time digital image interpretation by Radiologists on (4K) high resolution PACS workstations. We needed ability to archive all digital images yet retain the ability to electronically retreave those same images from the image archive at any moment into perpetuity. We needed to coordinate all scheduling and Radiology Information System (RIS) image interpretation reporting functions via the IHS RPMS RIS/HIS software. Action We procured a General Electric VANTAGE PACS network with Eastman Kodak (4K) high resolution diagnostic workstations for our 5 Radiologists, with Fuji CR devices and Access teleradiology workstations for technologists, with a 100MBPS Ethernet network, with a fast short-term SiemensGammaSonics SUN RAID Fiber digital RAID-array and an Eastman Kodak WORM drive with large (17in) optical disk juke box archive for long-term image storage and retreaval. We also hired and created a 30 biomed equipment technician team with A+ and N+ training to each technician so that we could staff a 24/7 technical support 800 number with help desk using REMEDY trouble ticket software which monitored both local Ethernet and satellite WAN network connections in real time, in support of both the rural Access teleradiology connections and the ANMC Radiology GE PACS network. We monitored all teleradiology image connection traffic and PACS digital communications with the Observer DICOM protocol analyzer and the WhatsUpGold Ethernet network monitoring software. Result We were able to provide 24/7 support of the Radiology Department’s technical needs and successfully support the ANMC RIS/PACS networks as well as the 26 location rural bush and Arctic Alaska clinic teleradiology satellite WAN network with a response time of 15-minute via telephone and 2-hour to on-site response for more than 10 years!