WellStar Health System integrates workflow and improves productivity with Agfa HealthCare’s IMPAX

652
Agfa HealthCare announces today that it has been selected by WellStar Health System of Georgia, U.S., to provide its IMPAX Radiology Information System (RIS) and Reporting solutions, which will be implemented in 2011. Together with the existing IMPAX Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) from Agfa HealthCare, the fully integrated clinical information and image management solution will deliver to WellStar streamlined workflows, leading to increased productivity.
Moving from paper to digital
"Ten years ago, most hospitals and health networks were still film-based," says Carol Scoggins, Medical Imaging Director for WellStar. "We recognized that we needed to get away from paper and manual processes, and to transition to a completely digital archiving system. This would not only streamline clinician workflow, but also increase efficiency and productivity enterprise-wide."
WellStar’s relationship with Agfa HealthCare began in 2001 with the acquisition of the IMPAX PACS, a scalable, web-deployable image and information management solution. When the implementation was completed in 2005, a total of ten imaging centers and five hospitals were integrated with Agfa HealthCare’s PACS, allowing 2,500 clinicians access to imaging information.
Extending a trusted relationship
In late 2010, WellStar chose to implement Agfa HealthCare’s RIS/PACS integrated reporting solution and IMPAX RIS throughout the enterprise, in order to further increase productivity and efficiency, and to streamline workflow.
"WellStar needed a solution that would improve productivity in multiple areas, not just with technologists, but radiologists and transcriptionists as well," says Scoggins. "Agfa HealthCare’s IMPAX RIS and Reporting solutions will allow the radiologist to ‘live’ in the PACS world, and to communicate effectively between the radiology department and other divisions of our facility."
IMPAX RIS is designed to boost efficiency, improve workflow, increase productivity and help deliver high-quality services to hospital staff, patients and referring physicians. Clinicians and administrators can electronically manage radiology operations, end-to-end, from patient registration through to report delivery.
The RIS/PACS integrated reporting solution provides fast and easy access to information, images and reporting tools from a single desktop. It offers radiologists a complete workflow solution that supports the diagnostic process effectively and efficiently, improving the interpretation process and turnaround times. Radiologists can review and release reports faster and more effectively than before, delivering results to the point of care more rapidly.
Committed to improving patient care delivery enterprise-wide
"Agfa HealthCare has an extensive history and experience in integrated image and information management solutions; it is committed to improving the delivery of healthcare services throughout the entire enterprise," comments Amy Golinski, Senior Marketing Manager for Agfa HealthCare, US. "We are pleased to have worked with WellStar for more than a decade, helping them achieve a more efficient and effective workflow. We look forward to providing additional solutions and services to enhance their delivery of patient care."
"Throughout our 10-year relationship, as we have determined what and who we are as an organization, Agfa HealthCare has helped us get to where we want to be," concludes Scoggins.