VNA and PACS: The Answers to Effective Management of Exponentially Growing Healthcare Data

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Healthcare systems are generating more patient data than ever before. With the progression of diseases, the “data footprint” of each patient increases over time, thereby increasing the overall amount of data, which the appropriate bodies (mostly health care providers) must manage.
Large amounts of data are inherently difficult to manage, but an abundance of data also means that better analytic results can be derived, which is necessary to drive lower cost and better patient outcomes. Consequently, there is a huge demand for data management platforms in healthcare and allied industries for efficiently storing, retrieving, consolidating, and displaying data.

A Vendor Neutral Archive (VNA) is an integral component of modern health data management. A VNA is a storage solution software that can store images, documents, and other clinically relevant files in a standard format with a standard interface.

Data stored in a VNA can be freely accessed by other systems, regardless of those systems’ manufacturers. This interoperability is a hallmark of any VNA system. The term “Neutral” in the acronym VNA has huge implications, as it makes the data stored in VNA, platform-independent. VNAs make it easier to share data across the healthcare system, facilitating communication between departments. They enable imaging clinicians to use software that integrates images with the EHR, in order to help make better-informed diagnoses.

A VNA can also help make data more secure. VNAs that use cloud-based storage can offer better recovery options than a local-only solution. Even if the local files are corrupted or destroyed, the data remains intact in a secure location through a cloud server.

Another hidden advantage of VNAs is the lowering of administrative costs. Fewer systems and fewer points of access mean less overhead for the IT department. And there is no need to migrate data when systems are updated or replaced, a procedure that can be resource-intensive. VNAs potentially offer lower storage costs, as compared to separate PACS systems, throughout the healthcare system as well. VNAs can use information lifecycle management applications to automatically shift older data to less expensive long-term storage, keeping only the most used data on higher-cost quick-access media.

Implementing a VNA is a major shift in a healthcare system’s operating procedures. This shift can uncover a multitude of opportunities to increase efficiency, streamline workflows, and lower costs.

PACS
Modern diagnostic practices generate an enormous amount of pictures and pictorial data. PACS stands for Picture Archive and Communication System. The main purpose of PACS is to simplify the management of images related to patient monitoring throughout the treatment and recovery. Modern radiology practices involve digital imaging. Therefore, for the purpose of interoperability, a standard is required, which is identified by all the stakeholders and is accepted as a norm.

The case in point is DICOM, which stands for Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine. PACS that adhere to DICOM standards are better suited to accommodate digital image data generated through medical devices procured from different vendors. In other words, DICOM-compliant PACS have better interoperability and a wider coverage for storing and processing different types of digital images generated through varied medical procedures.

The conventional advantages of PACS include duplication removal, quick access of patients’ images and reports, remote sharing of patient’s data and reports within an organization or to other organizations, and the establishment of chronology in patients’ radiology results, in order to facilitate comparison with previous studies on same or other patients.

BEST ENTERPRISE IMAGING STRATEGY: WHAT SUITS YOUR NEEDS
With a multitude of vendors offering enterprise image management systems, it becomes difficult to make the best choice. Each organization is different in terms of organization hierarchy, as well as the type of network used for communication and financial constraints. Consequently, the requirements for enterprise imaging solutions for each one of these will be different, and no one vendor alone can satisfy all of these demands.

GE Healthcare and Philips offer some of the most exciting PACS solutions. These two vendors have a unique distinction of having a global clientele and providing enterprise archive-centric strategies. An enterprise archive refers to long-term storage for managing and collecting data from multiple imaging departments.

If organization’s needs are more VNA-centric, then vendors with exclusive VNA expertise should be considered. An example of a VNA-centric expert would be Agfa. Agfa provides VNA solutions at the enterprise level for handling both DICOM and non-DICOM data.

Irrespective of the size of one’s facility or a number of patients one has contact with, you need to make image storage a necessity, because physicians require a seamless access to them. As a thumb rule, it is imperative to say that any large organization with dedicated departments for various diagnostic imaging (or at least a dedicated radiology department) should have a PACS system in place. If financial constraints are not in place, then a hybrid system incorporating both VNA and PACS should be used for cloud-based storage. Hybrid systems with cloud-based storage are considered to be one of the most efficient modalities in current enterprise imaging management.

Have You Fried Your Computers Chips?

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Every computer user faces all sorts of problems and errors while using their computer.

When your computer encounters any problems, or error messages, it will need a prompt and quick solution for that particular error. These errors or problems can cause major headaches, as they can stop you from doing what you want to do, at the time you most need to do it. So, it is necessary for you know a number of computer tips and tricks, for some quick solutions for when problems arise. You can bet your bottom dollar that your computer goes wrong at the most inopportune moment. These simple computer tips and tricks will come in handy when you badly need your computer to work.

Here are some tips to keep your computer in full health.

1. Always backup your computer files. When your computer gets a virus it can corrupt files. Your Anti-virus software should get rid of these viruses, however the virus may have corrupted a necessary file for your computer to function correctly and therefore the only solution is to get a reinstallation of the operating system. Having a backup will save you buckets full of sweat and tears trying to recover lost files if you computer goes into meltdown.

2. Always check your computer’s health/status – The old saying that “Prevention is better than cure” applies to computers just like anything else. If you do routine checks on your computer’s vital components, you will be able to detect problems in its early stages. A simple loud buzzing noise from the CPU may mean that that CPU/auxiliary fan wires may be stuck, or maybe a lot of dust is preventing the fan from working properly. If your computer overheats due to the fan not working properly this can cause all sort of problems. For example chips move off the mother board at a certain temperature. It can dry out the solder on your components which means a re-solder or possibly a new mother board if you can’t find a computer repair shop that re-solders at component level. By detecting that minor problem early, you prevent a major problem from happening later.

3. Install a trusted Antivirus and Firewall – Some computer problems may arise due to the viruses, spyware, malware, Trojan’s and hackers. Having a trusted antivirus/firewall will give you an assurance that somehow you are protected from viruses, spywares, malwares, Trojans, hackers and others. Spyware can slow your computer right down and you will be surprised at how much spyware you download with free programs. Think about it for a moment, why are these great little programmes free? Big brother is watching you! They watch your surfing habits so they can sell you something further down the line. Consult an expert for lists of trusted Anti-virus/firewall software.

4. Regularly clean your computer (safely) – Using your computer daily, dust will accumulate inside your computer’s components and CPU. Regularly cleaning your computer will ensure optimum performance. You have to make sure that you are safely cleaning your computer. If you don’t know what you are doing, it is best to consult experts to help you clean, as you can cause more damage than good and it could prove a costly D.I.Y. exercise. Regularly removing internal dust will help you get the most out of your computer’s performance with a guarantee that you will save hours trying to fix a major computer problem that could have been prevented through regular maintenance.

Though troubleshooting computer problems may seem easy, it is always best and recommended to consult expert technicians to look into and fix the problem.

Acoustic Electric Guitar Reviews

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When it comes to amplifying acoustic guitars, the best way is to have an on-board electronics system. After market add-ons like soundhole or piezo pickups are not as good sound wise. Here are my thoughts on particular manufacturer acoustic electric guitars.

Epiphone: Epiphone is a holding of Gibson Guitars. They are known for being a quality instrument that is affordable to the masses. Especially their acoustic electric line of guitars with a price range of $199 to around $799. Their own technicians make the electronics, so each piece is unique to the guitar on which it is installed.

Fender: Now Fender is famous for their electric guitars, but their acoustic electric instruments are just as memorable. With a price range from about $200 to a bit over $725, anybody can have one. Some of the electronics are made on site, but a great many are supplied by Fishman, a well-known electronic manufacturer.

Gibson: What can you say about Gibson acoustic electric guitars that hasn’t been said already? Not much except that they include the best workmanship and electronics on the market. Guitar reviews are not complete until a Gibson is mentioned.

Ibanez: Ibanez comes in here surprisingly well. Acoustic electric guitar reviews give high ratings to all Ibanez instruments in this category. Based on an affordable price frame of under $1000, even for the high-end pieces, the value is extraordinary; so is the sound.

Martin: Martin is synonymous with acoustic quality as that was the origin of Martin guitars. The patented bracing lends tonal dynamics and Fishman electronics provide superb amplified sound. Powered by Godin QI electronics, Seagull instruments produce sweet acoustic tones even under amplification.

Seagull: Canadian based Seagull Guitars are a lesson in top quality, great sound, fantastic electronics and affordability. Guitar reviews place Seagull in the top of the market.

Takamine: With a reputation for affordability and quality, Takamine brings their acoustic electrics to the table nicely. Priced from an unbelievable $259, beginners can start out in style. The electronics are as varied as the guitars themselves and range from passive V/T controls to multi channel preamp/EQ combos by Shadow.

Taylor: Acoustic electric guitar reviews all agree that Taylor is among the best available. Priced from as little as $459, you can add a Taylor A/E to your arsenal. All of Taylor’s electronics are Taylor devised and made, so you get a fully unique Taylor experience from the inside out.

Yamaha: No acoustic electric guitar review would be complete without mentioning Yamaha. This company prides itself on providing quality at affordable prices. Yamaha also manufactures electronics, so they are able to keep the costs of the amplification modules in-house and that is good for us all.

Find more information about these Acoustic Electric Guitar Reviews on my website.