universal viewers offer freedom from platform and format limitations putting clinical insights...

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888-87-MACH7 | www.mach7t.com MACH7 TECHNOLOGIES is the registered trademark of Mach7 Technologies, Inc. 7 and design is the trademark of Mach7 Technologies, Inc. Unlock. Unleash. UnPAC. is the trademark of Mach7 Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved. Universal Viewers Offer Freedom from Platform and Format Limitations Putting Clinical Insights within Reach Is Your Image Viewer as Universal as You Think? WHITE PAPER Universal, zero-footprint viewers help clinicians streamline diagnosis, improve result turnaround time and facilitate communication and sharing with patients, but how “universal” must these viewers be to truly deliver on their promises? Here are five key criteria to look for before deploying a universal, zero-footprint viewer. Visualization and interpretation of images are the cornerstones of imaging. Data storage, access, sharing, and management are central components of an image management strategy, but the entire solution has to deliver studies that can be successfully and accurately viewed. We are all here to improve patient care. Demand in the healthcare market is now skyrocketing for “universal” image viewers. These viewers promise anytime, anywhere secure and consistent access to patient image data across workstation, personal computer, and mobile device platforms. Beyond universal access, they also promise not to make a footprint or leave one behind. Why are universal, zero-footprint viewers in demand? Integrating imaging with the EMR, IHE, and EHR while helping achieve Stage 2 Meaningful Use requirements is a priority for most healthcare organizations and is a key promise of universal viewers. As EMRs continue to evolve technologically and MU stages usher in increasing levels of required patient data management, healthcare organizations will turn their attention to delivering a complete patient medical record that includes images that can be accessed anywhere, anytime. This access improves clinical efficiency and directly impacts patient care. When clinicians can read exams and studies more efficiently either for diagnosis or for clinical reference, they can improve report turn-around and achieve higher throughput while still delivering quality results. Universal viewers could also usher in new levels of efficiency with the power to eliminate the “swivel chair” that has become ubiquitous with a myriad of dedicated viewer systems that have clogged and clouded image interpretation. What is a universal, zero-footprint viewer? A universal, zero-footprint viewer (a.k.a., enterprise viewer, univiewer, archive-neutral viewer, PACS neutral viewer), is an optimal viewer that is fast and clinically adept, providing a single desktop for radiologists and referring physicians. It enables institutions to stop using dozens of disparate viewers and instead consolidates image interpretation and referring physician viewing with a single viewer for nearly all clinical needs.

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888-87-MACH7 | www.mach7t.com MACH7 TECHNOLOGIES is the registered trademark of Mach7 Technologies, Inc. 7 and design is the trademark

of Mach7 Technologies, Inc. Unlock. Unleash. UnPAC. is the trademark of Mach7 Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Universal Viewers Offer Freedom from Platform and Format Limitations Putting Clinical Insights within ReachIs Your Image Viewer as Universal as You Think?

WHITE PAPER

Universal, zero-footprint viewers help clinicians streamline diagnosis, improve result turnaround time and facilitate communication and sharing with patients, but how “universal” must these viewers be to truly deliver on their promises? Here are five key criteria to look for before deploying a universal, zero-footprint viewer.

Visualization and interpretation of images are the cornerstones of imaging. Data storage, access, sharing, and management are central components of an image management strategy, but the entire solution has to deliver studies that can be successfully and accurately viewed. We are all here to improve patient care.

Demand in the healthcare market is now skyrocketing for “universal” image viewers. These viewers promise anytime, anywhere secure and consistent access to patient image data across workstation, personal computer, and mobile device platforms. Beyond universal access, they also promise not to make a footprint or leave one behind.

Why are universal, zero-footprint viewers in demand?

Integrating imaging with the EMR, IHE, and EHR while helping achieve Stage 2 Meaningful Use requirements is a priority for most healthcare organizations and is a key promise of universal viewers. As EMRs continue to evolve technologically and MU stages usher in increasing levels of required patient data management, healthcare organizations will turn their attention to delivering a complete patient medical record that includes images that can be accessed anywhere, anytime. This access improves clinical efficiency and directly impacts patient care.

When clinicians can read exams and studies more efficiently either for diagnosis or for clinical reference, they can improve report turn-around and achieve higher throughput while still delivering quality results.

Universal viewers could also usher in new levels of efficiency with the power to eliminate the “swivel chair” that has become ubiquitous with a myriad of dedicated viewer systems that have clogged and clouded image interpretation.

What is a universal, zero-footprint viewer?

A universal, zero-footprint viewer (a.k.a., enterprise viewer, univiewer, archive-neutral viewer, PACS neutral viewer), is an optimal viewer that is fast and clinically adept, providing a single desktop for radiologists and referring physicians. It enables institutions to stop using dozens of disparate viewers and instead consolidates image interpretation and referring physician viewing with a single viewer for nearly all clinical needs.

888-87-MACH7 | www.mach7t.com MACH7 TECHNOLOGIES is the registered trademark of Mach7 Technologies, Inc. 7 and design is the trademark

of Mach7 Technologies, Inc. Unlock. Unleash. UnPAC. is the trademark of Mach7 Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Just as a vendor neutral archive (VNA) allows for consolidation of disparate archives created by PACS, a universal viewer allows for consolidation of disparate and siloed clinical viewers. Today’s advanced universal viewers are also “zero-footprint” viewers which means there is no separate viewing workstation. These viewers are web-based and enable image viewing on your HIS, EMR, EHR, physician portal, patient portal, and mobile device. Zero-footprint also means that no content is transferred to or stored on the viewing device and no browser plugins are required on the viewing device to render the image (i.e., ActiveX, Adobe Flash, or other third-party tool).

What makes a universal, zero-footprint viewer truly universal?

Universal and zero-footprint are terms that have begun to meld into a single catch-phrase in the marketplace. Some “universal viewers” can’t display native non-DICOM files, other “zero-footprint” viewers require ActiveX installation. Here is what to look for, and look out for, when evaluating these viewers. A truly universal viewer will have all of the following characteristics:

1: Universal Content – Support for any “-ology” and any structured or unstructured content.

A true universal viewer must be able to display images of all file types, ideally in their native file format, from any “-ology” stored on any active or archived image database.

Diagnostic image data is stored in one of two formats, DICOM or non-DICOM. DICOM, Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine, is a standard for handling, storing, printing, and transmitting information in medical imaging. The majority of diagnostic medical imaging systems are based on the DICOM standard and produce images in DICOM-conformant formats (e.g., radiology and cardiology departments).

Universal viewers should display both DICOM and non-DICOM images in

their native formats (e.g., a photograph of a mole).

There are also a number of medical image data sources and departments that produce non-DICOM data objects. In some cases, these objects are images (e.g., a photograph of a mole)

and in other cases these objects are clinical information and structured reports associated with the images or studies (e.g., study annotations). Non-DICOM file types include AVI, PDF, JPEG, MPEG, TIFF, and WAV file formats.

2: Universal Platform – Support for any device running any operating system in any location.

A true universal viewer must be able to display images on any platform regardless of operating system, viewing location or viewing device type. Viewing devices may include hospital-based workstations or remote-access mobile devices. Operating systems could include UNIX, Linux, Windows, or iOS with mobile devices running Android, Blackberry OS or iOS. All platforms must all be supported, universally.

A recent survey showed that 89% of physicians use, or plan to use mobile devices for accessing patient data including images. Many hospitals have adopted “bring your own device” (BYOD) policies, allowing physicians to use their own devices to gain access to the hospital IT network, provided they meet certain guidelines for security and HIPAA compliance. Support of these devices regardless of their OS is essential.

A true universal viewer can display images on any platform regardless of

operating system.

3: Universal Audience – Support for any user including clinicians, diagnosticians, nurses, referring physicians, and patients, all with access to a user-friendly and easily-accessible viewer.

While diagnosing and referring physicians and clinicians have traditionally been the primary audience for medical images, patient access to health information is driving a new paradigm for access and sharing of patient care data. A promise of universal viewers is their ability to tailor the viewing experience to the viewing audience. Delivering a workflow and toolset that is audience-applicable is essential for user adoption and satisfaction.

888-87-MACH7 | www.mach7t.com MACH7 TECHNOLOGIES is the registered trademark of Mach7 Technologies, Inc. 7 and design is the trademark

of Mach7 Technologies, Inc. Unlock. Unleash. UnPAC. is the trademark of Mach7 Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Viewers with smart reading protocols allow physicians to read studies in the way they want to, with workflows similar to the clinical protocols physicians have adopted in the healthcare setting. Viewers should be intuitive, efficient, and effective for the reading and referring clinician.

Universal viewers also make complete patient histories available to clinicians, referring physicians, and patients. Data including labs, medications, allergies, cross-specialty images, reports, clinical notes, and priors, are synchronized and organized for rapid review and decision support.

Physician and patient portals enabled with universal viewers have the ability to move the conversation about care beyond the exam room and bring a multi-directional conversation about patient care front and center.

4: Zero Clinical Footprint – Support for web-ready viewing that downloads no clinical data to the viewing device.

A zero clinical footprint will leave no “evidence” that images and files were viewed on the device. No download of clinical information is required, or allowed, during streaming. Patient information is protected through secure web URLs that expire after specific time limits. Should a network connection be lost, or should a laptop or mobile device crash, no data will remain on the device. No patient data is stored or “cached” locally.

5: Zero IT Footprint – Support for web-ready viewing that requires no download or install of third-party tools like Microsoft ActiveX™ and Adobe Flash™.

We’ve all been there. You’ve been asked to join a conference call or webinar, only to find that you are required to download a plug-in first (argh, and you were already late). How about websites that won’t render properly on your iPad because they require Flash? That is exactly what a zero-footprint viewer should NOT do.

Zero IT footprint means that no browser plugins are required to render the image (i.e., ActiveX, Flash, or other third-party tool). Zero IT footprint equals zero download.

Mach7’s universal, zero-footprint Clinical Viewer brings patient care and imaging data into focus. Any image. Any device. Anywhere.

Mach7’s Clinical Viewer puts authorized clinical staff, physicians, and patients in control of medical imaging data. Easily view, navigate, review, and share patient medical data over the web and across the enterprise. Intuitive user interfaces display common workflows that put information at your fingertips.

Clinical Viewer is a web-based, zero footprint viewer that enables image viewing on your HIS, EMR, physician portal, patient portal, and mobile device. A solution created for patients and clinicians, Clinical Viewer enables universal access and sharing over the web regardless of the media format. Integrate, train, and deploy a single viewing solution across a user community leveraging numerous platforms and devices.

Universal, zero-footprint viewers help healthcare organizations:

» Support Meaningful Use Stage 2 Imaging Requirements Meet MU Stage 2 imaging requirements by providing physicians and patients access to a complete care record, including images.

» Accelerate time-to-evaluation and treatment Deliver images in real-time and avoid scheduling delays.

» Reduce IT support time and expense Leave no IT footprint by requiring no software download to view images anywhere, anytime

» Enhance reimbursements Provide access to patient images across your enterprise in support of Accountable Care Organization guidelines.

» Decrease costs Limit redundant imaging that may lead to denied reimbursement. Support point of care imaging delivery.

888-87-MACH7 | www.mach7t.com MACH7 TECHNOLOGIES is the registered trademark of Mach7 Technologies, Inc. 7 and design is the trademark

of Mach7 Technologies, Inc. Unlock. Unleash. UnPAC. is the trademark of Mach7 Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.

» Zero Footprint – Requiring only a modern web browser, enable access to medical imaging data through zero client side installations and with zero clinical data downloaded to the client, protecting health information.

» Universal Access – Provide access to both DICOM and non-DICOM media through a single viewing interface that functions consistently across workstation, personal computer, and mobile device platforms. Simplify training and rollout. Simplify integration to the EHR. Build upon a solution that enables universal access, protects health information, and lowers IT costs.

» Functionally Rich – Provide patients and physicians with a feature-rich interface designed to be simple. Remove complexities and challenges with user adoption while still providing the tools required for effective reviews and treatment planning.

» Simplified Integration – Integrate clinical viewing through standard web protocols.

» Secure Access – Securely view images through the latest encrypted web protocols and role based directory authentication services.

At the end of the day……where is the real value in deploying a universal viewer?

Evaluating the needs of your audience is the first step in determining whether the deployment of a universal, zero-footprint viewer is a priority. Will referring physicians, clinicians, and patients find value in having access to images anytime from any device in any location? Will referring physicians value 24x7 access? Will clinicians leverage universal viewers to speed evaluations or reference images during examinations?

More than two hundred million medical imaging procedures are conducted in the U.S. annually in radiology and cardiology departments alone. A complete patient record with all diagnostic images, pictures, videos, and annotations available at all points on the patient’s care continuum is a reality made possible by technology including vendor neutral archives (VNAs). VNAs consolidate disparate imaging archives delivering that consolidated view through the EMR with the support of universal viewers. The ultimate value of a universal, zero-footprint viewer isn’t in its ability to display images anywhere at any time. The ultimate value is in enabling enterprise-wide sharing and access of patient data. That value is largely delivered by vendor neutral archives that unPAC siloes of sequestered patient data and free it up for healthcare organizations to access, share, and yes…view (universally).

Get the full story…..If you enjoyed reading about Universal Viewers, visit the resources section of our website to read white papers about Vendor Neutral Archives (VNA) and how Universal Viewers and VNAs work together to build your enterprise imaging strategy:

The 2014 Guide to VNA – It’s Time to UnPAC Your Archives – Part 1: Market Drivers

The 2014 Guide to VNA – It’s Time to UnPAC Your Archives – Part 2: Four Pillars of Enterprise Image Management

About Mach7 Technologies®

Mach7 Technologies is a global provider of enterprise image management solutions that allow healthcare enterprises to easily identify, connect, and share diagnostic image and patient care intelligence where and when it is needed. Mach7’s innovative communication and workflow technology delivers complete image management including rapid record identification, integration, synchronization and routing, advanced clinical viewing, and optimized vendor-neutral archiving across the enterprise. Healthcare institutions around the world use Mach7 solutions for archiving, clinical productivity improvement, IT cost savings, health information exchange, meaningful use compliance, and improved patient data communication.