Cloud-Based Image Archiving Application Provides Anywhere, Anytime Access

A new cloud-based application provides a long-term storage option that stores images securely, in multiple locations, providing anytime anywhere, access. It provides widespread functionality in a high-availability, high-security framework that meets HIPAA [Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act], HITECH [Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health], and other privacy requirements.

Merge Healthcare (Chicago, IL, USA), a provider of enterprise imaging and interoperability systems, recently released of Merge Honeycomb Archive, a new image archiving application available within its cloud-based platform. “With imaging accounting for up to 90% of all data stored in electronic health records [EHRs], it is clear that image availability and exchange are critical to delivering quality patient care,” said Jeff Surges, CEO of Merge Healthcare. “Add in privacy rules that require storage of electronic health data, including digital images, and you see how the need to securely and cost-effectively store and share medical images has grown--specifically in the cloud.”

Merge Honeycomb cloud-based applications are designed to help healthcare stakeholders collaborate and improve the delivery of care while reducing costs. The archive provides the appealing feature of scalability. As an organization’s storage needs increase, they can merely add capacity in Merge Honeycomb Archive. Another advantage of Merge Honeycomb Archive is its ability to eliminate the management and maintenance of onsite hardware, and the challenges associated with power, cooling and bandwidth. Moreover, because it is sold via a software-as-a-service (SaaS)-based payment model, it removes the problem of having to make large, upfront capital costs typically related to hardware and software purchases, and meets the increasing demand for a “per click, per study” model.

Image archiving is the second application available with Merge Honeycomb. Merge Honeycomb Image Sharing was the first application, which enables users to upload, download, view, and share medical images. With Merge Honeycomb Image Sharing, users can learn the history of a recent imaging event or review earlier studies before a current imaging exam simply by connecting to the image-sharing network and requesting images from or sharing images with other providers or even with patients.

Merge Cloud Solutions consist of the Merge Honeycomb web application; iConnect Access, a zero-download Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) image viewer; iConnect Share, an Internet-based gateway for image sharing between enterprises; and iConnect VNA, a vendor-neutral archive (VNA) that can be utilized to create an enterprise imaging strategy backbone. Merge Honeycomb interfaces with iConnect Share via secure web services to coordinate study uploads and to query uploaded studies.

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