Cloud-based Radiology Information Systems (RIS)

Radiology employs several software suites, which are often costly to acquire for exclusive usage by each hospital and imaging facility. Using them in conjunction with a cloud service by purchasing licences for required software packages is a safe and cost-effective option.

Cloud computing will liberate radiology from the restrictions of the hospital, allowing physicians to work from anywhere. In the 1960s, cloud computing was in its infancy. John McCarthy had addressed the notion of employing computers for public use, and J.C.R Licklider had coined the term linked grid of computers. As we know it now, cloud computing is based on a linked grid of computers that allows for resource sharing across the internet.

Cloud Computing for the Community

The Cloud RIS (Radiology Information System) is a network suite of software that assists in managing medical images and related EHR data for sharing and retrieval. Can store this information in a closed community cloud-only available to affiliated hospitals and imaging centres who wish to collaborate to share cloud infrastructure and software. It can also be offered as a software as a service (SaaS) by a provider. Can provide A software platform for RIS, PACS, remote image review software (teleradiology), sophisticated 3D workstation software, and payment via a Cloud-based system.

 Also eliminates the high upfront charges and replaces them with a pay-per-use approach that gives you access to the most complex and diversified software solutions for a fraction of the cost. Frees radiologists to focus on their practice and patients instead of worrying about where the service is housed, processed, or routed.

The advantages of cloud computing for RIS

IT administrator’s role:

With cloud services and SaaS choices, an IT administrator’s need is significant since most technical responsibilities are handled by the cloud services provider and SaaS vendor.

Costs:

Software and hardware licencing no longer have to eat into profitability. A pay-per-use strategy will aid in cost containment and early cost reduction.

Virtual Alternative:

Radiology may be converted to a virtual solution by using a cloud solution for RIS or PACS. One in which a radiologist sitting thousands of kilometres away analyses and sends his report via the cloud. Would assist patients in rural areas have access to better radiology by boosting teleradiology services.  Must recognise Various features of the cloud before migrating to a cloud solution.

For starters, data security and privacy are key priorities while storing, transmitting, and connecting to the server, especially when dealing with critical patient data. Second, a security assessment and a thorough grasp of premise security are required when working with cloud storage services. Choose a vendor who has a policy in place and who also follows through with it. Finally, with a cloud service, a server failure or database problem is not unheard of; as a result, a provider that provides disaster recovery services and automated safe backups will be incredibly advantageous.