There’s no doubt in my mind that vendor neutral archiving (VNA) will be a hot topic of discussion at the upcoming HIMSS conference. The technology’s benefits are undeniable. With the ability connect data across multiple disparate systems; the VNA enables healthcare organizations to provide a comprehensive view of the patient record. What’s more they can take back control of their data, eliminating their dependency on the PACs vendor and as well as the costly data migrations associated with PACs replacement. So what’s the problem?
The problem is, there is a still a lot of confusion in the market as to what constitutes a “true” VNA. The market is riddled with me-too vendors making bold claims of neutrality when in fact their solution may not be “truly” vendor neutral at all. Buzz words like “DICOM Archive” and “Super-PACS” are quickly thrown out but seldom clearly defined leaving you to decipher, “What classifies a true Vendor Neutral Archive?” and “What does good look like?”
The good news is there are resources out there to help guide you through your “due diligence” process. Articles such as “What is a Vendor Neutral Archive” clearly outline the capabilities and functionalities that characterize a truly neutral vendor archive. Admittedly the reading can be a bit technical – a.k.a. painful – but it is without a question worth it. With a better understanding of what a VNA should be able to deliver and the functionality required to make that happen, you’ll have a clear benchmark in which you can compare and contrast the various VNA solutions out there. What’s more, you’ll be better prepared to ask vendors the type of questions necessary to expose the strengths and weaknesses of their solutions. After all, HIMSS 2012 is in Vegas – what better time to call a vendor’s bluff?
Give the article a read and let me know your thoughts. And, if you’re interested in learning more, simply stop on by Iron Mountain booth #2558 to speak with me in person at HIMSS 2012. And be sure to follow me on Twitter @MichellePaster and use the hashtag #HIMSS12 to follow the event.
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