SmartPACS announces new RIS

SmartPACS has unveiled a new radiology information system that it says will solve common integration problems.

The RIS represents a new level of integration for SmartPACS, a New Jersey company that has focused on the smaller segment of the U.S. PACS market. Combined with the company's new orthopedic offering, it will operate through a single database, avoiding problems associated with combining multiple databases under a single RIS, according to David W. Parker, president of SmartPACS.

"Right now, with integration, people are spending 25% of their time finding lost cases, dealing with mislabeled data, and dealing with interface problems," Parker said.

Many of these integration problems can be avoided by using a single database.

The new Web-based system provides single log-on access to both RIS and PACS through a Web server. Its shared database expedites the instantaneous transfer of data between the two systems, streamlining operations and eliminating potential for errors, according to the company. Overall costs for an integrated system will be lower than if a RIS and a PACS were acquired individually, because the overlapping duplication of some equipment, installation costs for two systems instead of one, and reduced maintenance fees will all benefit the customer.

The new orthopedic offering allows the PACS to incorporate templates from five vendors for orthopedic planning. Because it is Web-based, the templates can be remotely accessed.

SmartPACS, working with its software development partner, South Korea-based Infinitt, is also developing brain subtraction and vessel analysis features to its integrated 3D interpretation system. The new capabilities will be available in the second quarter of next year, Parker said.

The 3D system, dubbed Rapida, is already available through SmartPACS and has been installed at many locations, including NYU Downtown Hospital, Saints Memorial Medical Center, and Warren Hospital. Rendering modes include 2D editing and segmentation, PRs, 3D shaded/unshaded volume rendering, and MIP/MinIP. The 3D software programs operate on any Intel-based workstation with Windows 2000 or XP.

Disclosure: SmartPACS is the sponsor of this year's Diagnostic Imaging RSNA meeting Webcast.