MRI of America is a medical imaging company based in Colorado. The company’s major innovation is its stand-up, open-air MRI scanning.
Instead of being inserted into the tiny enclave on a typical MRI machine, which usually engenders claustrophobia in even the bravest patient, the open-air scanner takes images while the patient sits in a chair in the center of the unit.
The patient actually has a view out of the front of the machine to keep the unit from having a “buried alive” feel.
As an imaging center, MRI of America maintains an archive of digital images. The company wanted a vendor-neutral archive (VNA) of the images collected by its picture archiving and communication system (PACS) application.
PACS systems allow multiple physicians to view digital medical imaging data from a single patient. A VNA means that the imaging center still owns and archives the data. MRI of America partnered with Telerad Tech to utilize DeepWell Archival Services VNA for storing images.
Telerad will deliver hosted RIS/PACS through its RADSpa architecture, integrating the DeepWell VNA so that MRI of America can store its imaging data long-term.
RADSpa, which Telerad Tech calls “radiologist’s nirvana,” provides improved imaging workflows, collaboration with other physicians and even CRM functionality and reporting.
MRI of America is utilizing a business model called “pay-per-study.” Instead of committing to a long-term contract with hefty upfront or monthly costs, MRI of America pays each time it completes an imaging study for a patient.
“The one time ‘fee per study’ billing structure ensures that we don’t pay for any unnecessary technology infrastructure costs, until we actually provide diagnostic services to a patient,” explained Stan Guzman, who is principal at MRI of America. “The result has been a measurable reduction in operational costs and inefficiencies.”
Instead of digging deep for major equipment investments to access PACS and store data onsite, MRI of America pays for RADSpa as an operating expense.
“We are excited about the continuing trend we see for adoption of cloud based image management services,” said DeepWell CEO, Brian Sobnosky.
Edited by
Braden Becker
