Many healthcare organizations are transitioning their picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) to cloud-based PACS system and solutions.
But how do you know when it’s the right time to migrate your current PACS? This article covers key signs indicating your system could benefit from a move to the cloud.
If your on-premises PACS is no longer keeping pace with your clinical imaging needs and workflows, the scalability and accessibility of the cloud may offer solutions. Consider if any of these factors apply to your current PACS environment:
Your System Lacks the Latest Tools and Functionality
Has your PACS remained stagnant while medical imaging has evolved? Cloud-based PACS offer advanced viewing, collaboration, and workflow features your legacy system may lack.
For example, you could gain:
- Intuitive viewers with enhanced analysis tools
- Enterprise-wide image sharing
- Compatibility across modalities and departments
- Real-time radiologist collaboration
- Patient engagement portals
Upgrading an outdated on-prem PACS can be difficult. The cloud provides access to latest technology.
Managing and Scaling Your PACS is Too Complex
Maintaining an on-site PACS requires substantial IT resources for administration, monitoring, troubleshooting, and scaling. Is this burden growing unsustainable?
With a cloud PACS, the vendor handles backend management and seamlessly scales capacity as needed. Resources once devoted to system upkeep can focus on more strategic initiatives.
Your PACS Lacks Reliability and Uptime
Frequent downtime disrupts workflows and staff productivity. Does your PACS lack redundancies or a disaster recovery plan to prevent outages?
A cloud PACS offers built-in failovers and high availability. Your system will maintain accessibility even if local infrastructure goes down.
Your Costs Keep Increasing
Annual maintenance and expansion costs can make on-prem PACS expenses unpredictable. Do you lack visibility into long-term TCO?
A cloud PACS converts capital expenditures into predictable operating costs based on usage. You only pay for the capacity needed.
Your Data is Confined to the Network
Can clinicians only access images from within the hospital or VPN? This hampers workflows.
Cloud PACS makes images accessible from any authorized location via web-based viewers. This drives efficiency through mobility.
You Have a Shortage of Qualified Staff
Does your team lack specialized skills to optimize your PACS? Limited resources strain your ability to manage complex systems.
Cloud solutions allow reallocating staff. Vendors provide technical expertise and support so you can focus on patient care.
Of course, each organization will have a unique tipping point for migrating their PACS.
But if you resonate with multiple factors above, the cloud could present an attractive alternative to refresh your imaging infrastructure.
