|
What is PACStoGO? Top
PACStoGO is a DICOM network device. It sits on the network as a station that can receive, query, or send DICOM modality studies. Upon receiving a study, from a multitude of sources (other DICOM CDs, Magneto Optical Discs, Modalities, PACS), the PACStoGO creates a standard DICOM 3.0 Part 10 CD or DVD
Why would someone want this? Top
The PACStoGO is much more than just a CD burner. The heart of the PACStoGO is the dynamics of the software. With the PACStoGO a client has the ability to create universal exchange CDs in PART 10 format. The PACStoGO should be viewed as a workhorse for creating exchange and archive CDs that are truly universal. The abilities and features of the PACStoGO will reduce film costs, build referral base, and increase workflow
I don’t need a PACStoGO because my new workstation comes with a CD burner. Top
The PACStoGO is designed to do many things a DICOM workstation is not. Most DICOM workstations will burn images to a CD in DICOM 3.0 Part 10 format. Once this CD from a DICOM workstation is brought to another workstation, the ability to use window level controls and other tools are lost. Unless the images are burned in full DICOM fidelity, the user will lose brightness, contrast, invert, gamma, co-registration, overlay, and any other manipulations that require DICOM attributes. A user may want to put more than one study on a CD; most workstations do not have this ability. The PACStoGO keeps a record of which studies have been put on a CD. While the PACStoGO is creating CDs, the DICOM workstation is not tied up for CD creation. With our universal compatibility, the user will restitute all benefits of the CD. After the configurations are set in the PACStoGO, the system runs transparently in the background creating discs that will be ready for pick-up at anytime.
We’re already filmless, we don’t need another CD burner. Top
The PACStoGO can only compliment a filmless institution. Most filmless institutions use a considerable amount of film. They may be filmless, but their doctors are not. Many doctors insist on film due to the quality of the images. A CD created on a DICOM workstation loses some of its resolution when converted to Jpeg or Bitmap, and may not be configured for DICOM print. A CD from the PACStoGO is in full DICOM fidelity, which means it loses no resolution when reinserted into a DICOM workstation. The user can restore the images from a PACStoGO CD and print film from a DICOM workstation. This will help enable an institution to be ‘truly’ filmless because they will have a ‘true’ universal exchange medium that can be used at a diagnostic review workstation without having to print film. The PACStoGO CD will still allow for film printing at another location from a DICOM workstation.
We store all of our studies and images on PACS. Top
Once again, the PACStoGO CD will compliment the PACS system. The PACStoGO CD is not a storage device or mini-PACS system. The PACStoGO CD will work in conjunction with a PACS system in many ways. The PACStoGO CD can query any studies from the PACS and create a PACStoGO CD. Using PACStoGO Enterprise version you can query studies from a modality and send the images to the PACS server. The PACStoGO can read DICOM compliant CDs and send the studies to the PACS or DICOM workstations, or back to a modality. The PACStoGO can serve as an intermediary between a modality and a PACS; which means the PACStoGO can be used to send only selected studies to the PACS.
What about giving PACStoGO CDs to patients? Top
The CDs created by the PACStoGO are ideal for patients requesting a copy of their studies. The patient will be able to look at their studies on their personal computer. More importantly, the patient will be able to bring the CD with them to another institution where a physician can review the images on a DICOM workstation. A PACStoGO CD eliminates the need for a film library to make additional copies of film, or get credit card numbers for deposits on film. A PACStoGO reduces shipping costs, reduces filing time, reduces insurance hassles, and improves patient /doctor relationships.
Can the PACStoGO be used as an archive system? Top
Long Term Archive is not the intended use for the PACStoGO. Many institutions use the CDs or DVDs created by the PACStoGO for local storage and redundancy within a department. The PACStoGO is not a substitute for PACS, although a facility may use it as bridge technology before committing to a larger system. The system may be used for local storage within a modality suite. The software contains a database which may be used for shelf management.
We have the ability to create CDs with a viewer from our ultrasound, cardiology, and PACS system. Top
The PACStoGO is much more than CDs. While there are many systems that create CDs with a rudimentary viewer, that is not the sole job of the system. The PACStoGO is designed for the purpose of creating full fidelity DICOM CDs for all the modalities, with support for any Viewer that will display 24 bit color and full motion studies. Also, with the features of the PACStoGO, the user has a multitude of choices when creating a CD for exchange or archive. This is an image control center that produces CDs. While the PACStoGO is creating CDs or DVDs your workstation is free to perform it’s main function and intended purpose.
Can we use the PACStoGO as a diagnostic workstation? Top
The PACStoGO is not intended for diagnostic review. Although, the CDs created from the PACStoGO may be used in a DICOM diagnostic review station. Most physicians would rather use the diagnostic workstation they are accustomed to for making diagnosis and dictation from.
We have a teleradiology system that transfers images for us. Top
Teleradiology is a great tool to get images to doctors that have access to the intranet and/or viewing software on their PCs. The PACStoGO CDs are viewable anywhere anytime without having to rely on the speed or reliability of the network. Teleradiology has no function for doctors outside the network or patient copies. As the size of multi-slice studies increases, the demand on networks will not support transfer of information in a timely manner. The radiology tools on a teleradiology system are very limited. Teleradiology is a different system with a different intended use.
We need the capability to burn CDs remotely without security risks. Top
The PACStoGO offers a web application that allows a qualified user to log in and send commands to the PACStoGO. This application allows the user to query the network, select studies that meet search criteria, and burn selected studies. Considering this is a web application sending commands to a Windows application, there is an extra measure of network security. This application is very user friendly and can be modified per institution.
We don’t burn that many CDs to warrant an automated CD producer. Top
The primary reason an institution is not creating and using CDs on a daily basis is that they have not committed to reducing film costs by utilizing this technology. Once a PACStoGO system is installed, CD use and production grows by the month. An institution that is burning CDs, will see production triple the first month.
We don’t need another system for our techs to be learning or spending time on. Top
The PACStoGO will actually reduce tech time by relieving manual film processing and/or burning of CDs from different workstations. The PACStoGO will run transparently in the background once configured for each modality. A user will only need to go to the PACStoGO to manually create custom CDs. This system will free up technicians for better use of their time.
We are going to wait for DVD burning. Top
The PACStoGO will burn DVDs in the tower or the robotics. DVDs are great for local storage and large studies that need to be on one disc. The issue is the install base of CD-ROM is over 5 billion. The install base of DVD-ROM is just over 2 million. CD will continue to be the exchange medium of source because of this for the next 5-7 years.
We need installation, on-site service and warranty, and on-site application training. Top
Our Resellers provides all of the above. Installation does not include DICOM configurations or set up of the modalities. This is the responsibility of the site and/or the service techs for the designated modality. Application training is done at the time of installation. This is a basic training and further in-depth training is encouraged via teleconference at a later date. |
