Business Benefits of Modern Veterinary PACS Software

Most radiology departments have migrated from a film-based storage system to a digital one, and the emergence of picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) has streamlined and revolutionized this process. These are automated systems that optimize the storage, retrieval, and reporting of radiology images, enabling them to be stored in a digital format that is accessible from multiple locations.

Modern PACS can process images from various imaging modalities, including commuted tomography, X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasound. These images are stored using a standard file extension, called digital imaging and communication in medicine (DICOM), which enables all the files to be stored in a central location. These systems are invaluable for veterinary medical imaging and essential for refining and optimizing the workflow in practices. Selecting an appropriate veterinary PACS software is crucial for any veterinary practice, and much care should be taken during the selection process.

Asteris is a company that has dedicated time and research to developing the ultimate veterinary PACS software to improve radiology image storage and workflow. It is the only veterinary-specific company dedicated to dealing with all types of imaging modalities and manufacturers. The Asteris Keystone Software Suite enables the seamless and efficient storage, transfer, retrieval, and reporting of digital images. Changing your imaging workflows can have a cascading impact on the way that you do business. This veterinary PACS software offers improved workflow solutions; greater allowance for the management and processing of images; improved security for data using encryption, hashing, and lossless compression on its cloud-based platform; ample room for collaboration and consultation among all the practice’s stakeholders; and revolutionary data importation, reporting, monitoring, and sharing capabilities.

The unique features of the Asteris Keystone Suite include the following:

• Dual protection: Local and remote image storage capabilities of the system increase the security of the images, ensuring that they are safe and will not be lost if there are hardware failures or loss of internet connectivity in the practice. This distinguishes it from software that are only cloud-based, as those do not have native, local data storage capabilities.
• Ease and speed of access: There is an increase in the speed of off-site storage and retrieval, enabling users to have real-time access to files and images. This means that radiologists will be able to retrieve and report images as soon as they are obtained and uploaded. The file packaging methods employed by this software enable transfer speeds of up to three times more than many other veterinary PACS software but require only half the storage capacity.
• No service contracts: The service model is cost-effective because it employs a “pay as you use” model. This negates the need for extensive service contracts and monthly or annual fees. The solutions are not “one size fits all,” and Asteris consultants will work with the practice to determine the usage price that is attainable, based on factors such as the number of locations and the range of modalities to be used.
• Tele-consultation workflow: The software and interface enable ease of collaboration between all the different practice stakeholders: radiographers, radiologists, specialists, office managers, and even pet owners. Partners can send consultation requests, and those getting the requests have a built-in reporting platform. This has revolutionized the workflow because everything can be done within the same platform.

The benefits of implementing this product within a veterinary clinic cannot be overstated. It has an intuitive, user-friendly interface, so there is no steep learning curve for offices wishing to implement it. The online app enables users to have access to it 24/7 on any platform or device, wherever they may be, making monitoring the business easier. The solutions are designed to work on non-proprietary hardware, so there is usually no need to purchase anything in addition to what is already in use in the office.

Additionally, advanced features in the integrated DICOM image viewer, such as 2D Multi-Planar Reconstruction, aid in reviewing and diagnosing conditions. This greatly increases practice efficiency and diagnostic accuracy. This veterinary software PACS works with other DICOM-compliant image viewers, making it more convenient. Asteris has a round-the-clock support team that is available to provide instant and real-time technical support. All technical support, off-site archival of image data for seven years, and automatic software updates and upgrades are included at no additional charge. For equine services, it offers an equine repository, and this helps enhance the equine auction sales experience and increase buyer confidence.

With all the features part of the Asteris Keystone veterinary PACS software, it is clear that it will be an invaluable addition to any veterinary practice. The Keystone Suite can be adapted to fit the image needs of any practice, no matter how limited or advanced they may be.

Here at Asteris, it’s our goal to help veterinarians make sound medical decisions with ease, clarity, and confidence by giving them the tools and insights that they need to optimize the way they work.

If you’re ready to stop feeling like there’s not enough time in your day, we can help you optimize your imaging processes and the way you work. Contact our specialists today to get started!