Mobile Usage in Healthcare and Radiology: Best Practice #1

August 5, 2014

Download the free white paper, “5 Best Practices for Mobile Devices in Healthcare.”

Understand the Role of Mobile Devices in the Medical Industry

Medical students, clinicians and patients are harnessing mobile technology in record numbers.

By now, to say healthcare is “going mobile” is an understatement. This technology is a popular topic at professional medical conventions, including both the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) and Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS).

Residents and fully trained clinicians use at least one mobile device to learn their trade and carry out their work. Likewise, patient demand for medical apps is skyrocketing.

Role in Health and Radiology Education

The role of mobile devices in med school goes way beyond the fact that many students and residents use them in their personal lives.

Stanford University, the University of California-Irvine and multiple others have incorporated them into their medical programs. These institutions are embracing mobile technology in response to how professionals are now practicing their trade and with the goal of improved communication among clinicians, staff workers and patients alike.

Professional Uses

Among other things, physicians, nurses and other health practitioners use these devices to:

View medical images.
Access electronic health records.
Measure and monitor patient vitals.
Conduct medical research.
Engage patients and track follow-up.
Assist in making clinical decisions.
Educate others on medical topics.
Respond to emergency situations.
Communicate with coworkers.
Complete routine office tasks.

For instance, referring physicians and radiologists use tablets to transmit medical images and communicate in real time about their findings. The high pixel resolution of tablets can aid radiologists in interpreting those images.

Also, a mobile platform can function like a “wireless doctor’s bag” if armed with the right medical apps. They help clinicians measure vitals, make diagnoses, remotely monitor patients or serve as portable, comprehensive health reference guides.

Ehealth and Patient Uses

Of the nearly 14,000 medical apps offered through Apple’s App store, the majority of them are geared toward the public.

Health insurance companies are even sending out “how-to” guides to members on the benefits of mobile technology. Patients are responding, using them to take a more proactive role in personal health, including:

Tracking fitness goals.
Assessing general medical topics.
Pricing prescriptions and finding generic equivalents.
Monitoring certain conditions and vital signs through apps between visits.
Accessing their electronic health records and even their clinician’s diagnostic notes (when available).
Scheduling appointments and contacting their physician directly about their case.

Up next: Best Practice #2: Identify the Benefits of Mobile Devices in Healthcare.

Can’t wait for the next installment? Download the complete white paper from FreedomPACS today!

New Case Study: Streamlining Radiology Image Sharing for Outpatient Center and 500 Ordering Physicians

June 23, 2014

HIPAA-compliant, 24/7 cloud access to medical images boosts center’s productivity, efficiency and savings

For Premier MRI/CT, an outpatient diagnostic imaging center in Southfield, MI, time is of the essence, both for the approximately 500 physicians they partner with and the patients they serve. Premier provides thousands of CT, MRA, MRI and X-rays each year to the tri-county community near Detroit.

Before FreedomPACS, Premier and their ordering physicians were losing critical time, money and productivity relying on outdated, cumbersome medical image CDs.

“With so many locations geographically, moving physical records around was problematic,” explained the center’s director Gary Wood. “We needed to get X-rays, MRI studies and CT images in the hands of the doctors in a more convenient way.”

FreedomPACS Solution – Radiology Image Sharing

The radiology PACS, cloud storage and archiving and ImageShare technology helped Premier to:

Digitalize their images and studies cost-effectively.
Provide 24/7 web-based access to their ordering physicians on mobile and PC platforms.
Drastically reduce the geographical and time barriers between image testing and diagnosis/treatment.
Successfully meet HIPAA and FDA privacy and security requirements.

Radiology Image Sharing Results

After implementing FreedomPACS, Premier MRI/CT experienced a more streamlined workflow, faster turnaround on processing and delivering medical images and radiology studies to physicians and significant savings on equipment and technology.

As a result, the center was able to drastically improve radiology image sharing services for patients.

“FreedomPACS enables us to archive our images across multiple sites–efficiently, inexpensively and with quick access regardless of where our doctors might be located,” said Wood.

“ImageShare is a great benefit as it allows us to connect our external physicians securely so that they can see their patients’ exams.”

Read the complete case study to find out more!

Experience the FreedomPACS Difference

Get the same benefits as Premier for your medical facility or practice!

Contact FreedomPACS online or call 855-740-1130 today.

The Mobilization of Radiology and Healthcare

May 5, 2014

Mobile technology is changing the face of radiology and medicine: how should the industry respond?

Society has exploded into the mobile age with handheld e-readers, tablet PCs and smartphones. People of all ages and backgrounds are using iPads, Androids, Kindles, Blackberrys and Galaxy Tabs for personal and professional reasons. In fact, mobile subscribers worldwide recently topped 5 billion. How does this impact mobile devices in healthcare?

Mobile Device Usage on the Rise In Healthcare

It isn’t surprising, then, that mobile platforms have also found their way into radiology and healthcare. Consider these recent usage and technology statistics:

Approximately 2 out of 3 doctors now operate a tablet while on the job.
Over 80% of physicians use a mobile device (tablet or smartphone) at work.
Usage is popular among radiology residents: 74% own smartphones and 37% own tablets.
The Apple App Store features an inventory of nearly 14,000 medical applications for patients and clinicians.

Physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals incorporate mobile technology into their everyday routine. The convenience and portability of these devices help with communication, workflow, patient engagement and even diagnosis.

Privacy and Security Concerns

The efficiency of mobile platforms, however, is counterbalanced by various patient privacy and security concerns. Improper usage can trigger costly violations of the HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and HITECH (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health) laws.

In light of these benefits and risks, how should mobile devices in healthcare and radiology be used?

FreedomPACS has uncovered five best practices for utilizing mobile devices in healthcare and radiology.

Up next: Best Practice #1: Understanding the Role of Mobile Platforms in Medicine and Radiology. Don’t want to read it in installments? Download the complete white paper free of charge today!

Invest and Save with Section 179!

March 13, 2014

Special Business Tax Benefit Helps Healthcare Industry Invest in Necessary Equipment, Software; New Limits Set for 2014

With medical technology and processes rapidly evolving, it’s vital for healthcare facilities and practitioners to keep pace.

In order to effectively treat and serve their patients, medical providers have to be able to invest in the necessary equipment, software and updates. Fortunately, the Section 179 deduction helps them do just that while simultaneously saving money*.

Section 179 Basics

To increase commercial purchasing even in a tough economy, Section 179 of the IRS Code created a special tax incentive. Eligible businesses* are allowed to deduct the entire purchase price of capital equipment (bought or financed during the tax year) from their gross income.

Without Section 179, first-year deductions are much smaller, with the item’s total value depreciated equally over a period of years (the item’s “useful life” which ranges five to 10 years on average).

Who and What Qualifies?

Healthcare businesses and service providers—including independent contractors and sole proprietors—can take this deduction for eligible items that are used at least 51% of the time for business. Qualified equipment* can include anything from office furniture and mobile devices to medical software and imaging systems.

2014 Updates

The 2014 deduction limit is $25,000 (plus an adjustment for inflation) and purchasing limit is $200,000. Further updates and information are expected after April 15, 2014.

Learn more about Section 179. Download the FreedomPACS guide today!

* Actual deduction amounts and benefits will vary depending on each business’s distinct financial situation. Consult a professional tax advisor or www.irs.gov for complete information.

Unlock the Power of FreedomPACS ImageShare!

February 1, 2014

Safely and Quickly Send Medical Images and Studies Beyond the Network

With ImageShare’s leading-edge technology, health providers can now partner with outside facilities to serve patients like never before.

This latest offering from FreedomPACS streamlines the sharing of crucial medical information, images and studies through a secure, web-based channel.

Efficient and Affordable

Eliminate the costly and time-consuming process of burning images and mailing CDs. By harnessing ImageShare’s seamless technology—especially in emergency situations—health professionals can drastically decrease the wait time for patient diagnosis and treatment.

Facilities have the power to push information from their existing PACS to authorized parties in minutes via a protected ImageShare login.

Secure and Compliant

The system also incorporates the latest encryption technology, which is both HIPAA-compliant and FDA-certified.

No-Hassle Set-Up, Cross-Platform Compatibility

Implementation is easy and cost-effective with no licensing fees or software to download and keep up. ImageShare is accessible from PCs, Macs and mobile devices.

Discover the ImageShare difference! Learn more.

Interested in a free demo or online tutorial? Call 855-740-1130 or fill out the online form.

FreedomPACS Offers Free Guide on Mobile Technology in Radiology and Healthcare

October 25, 2013

Guide examines how to use mobile technology to improve patient services without sacrificing patient privacy

With nearly 14,000 medical mobile apps on the market and 80% of physicians using smartphones and tablets, the healthcare industry needs to know how to best incorporate this technology into the workplace.

The new white paper from FreedomPACS explores mobile usage in light of federal patient security and privacy requirements.

“Five HIPAA-Compliant Best Practices for Using Mobile Devices in Healthcare” weighs the benefits of these platforms—enhanced care, communication and workflow—against potential breaches of protected health information.

The free informational guide, with a special focus on radiology, will help medical providers and professionals:

Examine security and privacy issues concerning HITECH (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health) and HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
Identify specific physical, technological and administrative solutions and strategies to stay compliant with federal law
Understand how smartphones, tablets and apps are impacting workflow, communication, patient care and diagnosis

Download the free white paper from the FreedomPACS Web site today!

For more information, call 855-740-1130 or email info@freedompacs.net.

FreedomPACS Supports State and National Rural Healthcare Efforts

September 10, 2013

To help address the unique challenges currently facing U.S. rural healthcare, FreedomPACS is committed to bringing efficient and cost-effective medical imaging solutions to that industry. FreedomPACS is a member, exhibitor and contributor of multiple rural health organizations, events and causes.

TORCH Partnership

In 2012, the Web-based PACS and cloud storage provider joined the Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals (TORCH) as a corporate member. Since then, FreedomPACS has helped TORCH bring new technology into the rural landscape by:

Donating an Eizo radiology LCD monitor to the TORCH Foundation valued at $1,800
Advertising in the organization’s Rural Matters magazine
Exhibiting at various TORCH events including the annual conference, Hospital Information Technology Exhibition and Texas Critical Access Hospital Tradeshow.

The partnership with TORCH is yielding positive results. For example, FreedomPACS made it possible for a member hospital to streamline services and save 75% on its offsite image storage expenses.

Read the full Winkler County Memorial Hospital case study.

NRHA and IRHA Efforts

In addition, FreedomPACS supports the National Rural Healthcare Association (NRHA) and its state chapters. The medical imaging service provider not only attends and exhibits at association events but also contributes to them.

For example, FreedomPACS recently donated a $40,000 PACS solution at the Illinois Rural Healthcare Association (IRHA) Annual Conference.

FreedomPACS looks forward to future opportunities to participate and advocate for the U.S. rural healthcare industry.

Download the free white paper, “5 Best Practices for Mobile Devices in Healthcare.”