Saint Francis Medical Center (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) recently implemented Carestream’s Vue Motion universal image viewer, which serves several hundred specialists, clinicians, referring physicians, nurses and therapists.
“Vue Motion is now the primary image viewer for our hospital. It’s faster, easier to use and more flexible than our previous viewer. Users learn how to use the features in about five minutes,” said Andrew Welker, the hospital’s PACS Administrator. “Hundreds of clinical staff use it every day, and they appreciate its advanced tools and the ability to access images from the report within seconds.”
Welker adds that “since it’s a zero-footprint viewer, there is no need to install or upgrade any software or hardware at physicians’ offices. That’s a huge time saver for both clinicians and our staff.”
Advanced 3D imaging capabilities are available from the viewer for use by ER physicians, neurosurgeons and other specialists. “Specialists also appreciate the ability to view images on mobile devices,” he notes.
The 284-bed hospital deployed the image viewer as part of an implementation that involved Carestream’s Vue PACS, Vue for Vendor Neutral Archive and MyVue patient portal. The hospital’s Vue PACS is equipped with 3D analysis tools, lesion management capabilities, and a mammography module with specialized imaging tools including digital breast tomosynthesis.
“We installed monitors in all five rooms of our breast imaging clinic and now physicians can access DBT exams from the PACS and show patients their DBT images before a biopsy or surgical procedure. This greatly enhances patients’ confidence and satisfaction and we have received many favorable comments about this new process,” Welker notes.
The hospital plans to integrate Carestream’s Vue Motion viewer with its new EPIC EMR in 2016 as part of an upgrade from an older enterprise management system. Carestream’s MyVue Patient Portal, which allows patients to view, store and share their medical data also will be integrated with the new EMR. Welker expects the portal will drive increased patient loyalty and satisfaction, while reducing the need for hospital staff to output medical imaging studies onto CDs.
