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Web-based PACS a low-cost option EASTLAKE, OH - Healthcare imaging facilities should ditch their costly film processing systems, according to the vendor of a new Web-based picture archiving and communication system.

NCD Medical Corporation, based in Eastlake, Ohio, maintains that their eWIX (electronic-Worldwide Information Exchange) Web repository service for clinical imaging is a lower-cost alternative for imaging centers' PACS processes.

The system requires no upfront capital spending, no hardware or software to purchase and maintain, and a service that doesn't depreciate in value, the company said.

Providers using eWIX pay a monthly fee based on the amount of storage used and the amount of users requiring access to the system. The HIPAA-compliant service allows users to conduct a full range of PACS functions, including document imaging, film archiving and disaster recovery, NCD said. For providers not looking to make a full transition from their existing PACS, eWIX can be used for archiving PACS data.

"Our eWIX service is a simple, risk-free solution to manage and archive medical information," said Charles Patti, president of NCD Medical Corporation. " For imaging facilities facing budget constraints, this service is a viable solution for their needs."

The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 has constrained many imaging facilities, NCD said, as payer reimbursements for imaging services were reduced under the federal legislation. The cost savings realized by facilities using the eWIX system can offset these constraints, the company said. Such savings include eliminating the need for film purchasing, processing and storing.

Additionally, the fact that the eWIX PACS does not need to be cleaned or maintained on-site can lead to even greater cost-savings and organizational efficiencies, NCD noted.

The eWIX system was recently upgraded to improve its image compression and comply with HL-7 standards for hospital information systems and radiology information systems.

Original Story Here.

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