By Jenny Lower
The annual meeting of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) in Orlando, Fla, on February 23 to 27, featured many of the newest developments in informatics technology. Several innovations this year focused on building interconnectivity and efficiency through cloud-based tools. Here are just a few of the discoveries we spotted in the exhibit hall.
Carestream Showcases 64-bit PACS Architecture
Carestream introduced 64-bit PACS Architecture
Carestream’s new 64-bit PACS architecture (shown as a work in progress) is being designed to help expedite availability and reading of large 3D imaging studies; increase the speed of server and client operations; and serve as an infrastructure for server-side rendering and pay-per-use cloud services. The new PACS will deliver true 64-bit processing to address the data-intensive needs of healthcare facilities worldwide and support the move to a Windows operating system. Carestream is also upgrading its vendor neutral archive, Vue Motion zero-footprint image viewer, and MyVue patient portal to efficiently interact with its new 64-bit PACS.
Viztek Debuts Web-Based EHR
Viztek has launched a new, completely web-based EHR, with no requirements for client-based software while maintaining full, advanced viewing features. Compatible with any operating system, the platform offers the benefit of integrating all software modules from Viztek, and also can work with any vendor’s applications and offer supplementary components such as: PACS, specialty viewers, and tools including mammography, tomosynthesis and PET/CT, practice management, EHR, EMR, billing, radiology scheduling, and reporting.
BridgeHead Unveils Hospital Applications HDM Solution
BridgeHead Software revealed the Rapid Application Protection (RAPid) holistic data management (HDM) solution, which incorporates multiple protection strategies to facilitate protection and recovery of hospital applications. The system combines the backup and archive with a central repository including metadata, business and clinical data, and application awareness to help hospitals recover large amounts of information. Using Backup Leveraging Advanced SAN Technology (BLAST), the system restores an application’s underlying database and its initial file data to get the program running quickly. RAPid uses single instancing for archive on the file level and deduplications for backup on the block level.
Siemens Launches CareXcell Care Management Tool
The CareXcell care management solution from Siemens Healthcare helps providers adapt to the changing reimbursement environment by proactively managing patient care needs across a given population. The system aggregates information from healthcare silos across the community, providing connectivity among disparate systems and facilitating collaboration among care professionals. Team members can communicate within the system through their preferred channels. Automated evidence-based protocols coordinate activities with integrated process management technology, and measurement tools also enable monitoring to improve outcomes and minimize costs.
TeraMedica Releases Zero-Footprint Viewer
The Univision EV universal image viewer from TeraMedica comes with an advanced toolset that enables full-resolution visualization of DICOM and non-DICOM images from any device, including PCs, Macs, smartphones, and tablets. The browser-based, zero-footprint viewer supports display of standard image formats for any modality and department in native format. An image manipulation tool kit includes 3D reformatting, multi-cine, and side-by-side comparison. Univision EV also utilizes server-side rendering, is VM-ware and Citrix ready, and is compatible with standard web browsers. The new offering complements TeraMedica’s existing Univision reference-quality viewer to deliver a more versatile and robust option for specific use cases.
Claron Enables Mobile Image Upload
Claron showcased upgrades to its family of Nil universal viewers.
Claron introduced enhancements to its family of Nil universal viewers to facilitate image and video upload for mobile devices and desktop PCs. The system lets users attach mobile-generated images and video to a patient record using only a browser, without installing an app or engine. Users also can import DICOM and non-DICOM data from notebook and desktop computers using this streamlined version of the NilFeed web uploader. New DICOM file streaming integration also allows users to stream data from a remote PACS or vendor neutral archive to the Nil viewer, displaying the images as they are transferred for rapid access.
BRIT Systems Announces Roentgen 2.2 Platform
Originally displayed at the Radiological Society of North America’s annual meeting, the Roentgen Works version 2.2 is BRIT Systems’ completely browser-based platform for enterprise PACS/RIS, including a vendor neutral archive, cloud-based storage and image sharing, and critical results reporting. The system allows users to embed QR codes within a report linking to a study’s images. An upload request tool allows users to send e-mail links enabling cloud-based upload of studies and reports. Users also can export data and burn CDs and DVDs to share with patients. Clinicians can send e-mails or text messages through the user notification system to alert colleagues to new studies, updates, or critical result findings.
