The processes within a radiology practice are numerous and complex, and many of them can require extended periods of time. There is the time that is needed to wait for imaging orders — more time if written orders are illegible and require additional correspondence between the referring physician and radiologist. Time is also lost waiting for films and cassettes to be received and uploaded to the picture archive and communications system (PACS), and still more time is needed for second opinions if required. Collectively, the time that these individual processes take often leads to longer turnaround time, which can result in patient anxiety, medical error and increased medical costs. 

Healthcare’s shift away from traditional fee-for-service reimbursement models and toward value-based payments is well under way. Case in point: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced that 106 new accountable care organizations (ACOs) have begun operations, bringing the total number of Medicare Shared Savings Program participants to more than 250. ACO growth has also gained a foothold in the private sector, with 428 organizations now operating in 49 states. 

Today’s remote viewing systems will stimulate changes and challenges in healthcare in a manner similar to what online banking has done for the financial industry. The areas of improvement include safe, secure, remote access from any browser, or ultimately any mobile device. This is the reality of today, and it comes without the need for special applications or image and associated data downloads from virtually any source.