In diagnostic imaging, the goal has always been to find faster and more efficient solutions to improve patient care and streamline radiology workflow. Radiologists went from storing images in filing cabinets to storing them in PACS, reviewing studies on hard film to reviewing them on digital screens, and even sending patient information through the post to sending it through a secure web portal. Fast forward to the present day, and you’ll find that radiologists are leveraging today’s technology to display image series faster than ever before using a process called remote rendering. Let’s take a look at the brief history of remote rendering and why it’s essential to the healthcare industry.
Diagnostic Imaging Then
To begin, all studies were printed on hard film and hung on lightboxes for review by the radiologist. During that time, it could take hours to capture image sets that now take only a few minutes. In the 90s, studies started to migrate from hard copy film to digital image format. But with the slower network infrastructures, large images took a long time to process onto the radiologist’s workstation. Besides, the ever-advancing capabilities of radiology equipment resulted in a heavier image series, which added to the download time.
Diagnostic Imaging Now
With today’s network infrastructure and modern technology, we’re able to utilize a solution called remote rendering. With remote rendering images are streamed, rather than downloaded, ultimately resolving three important issues for clinicians. First, quicker and efficient rendering of large images regardless of format as compared to downloading them; thus providing immediate access to current and all prior studies. Second, it enables clinicians to provide quality care for their patients regardless of their location because images can be accessed from any browser capable device. Third, it decreases the response time from click to display making their workflow that much more efficient.
Remote rendering is extremely important for today’s clinicians because it enables them to view, share, and collaborate on imaging studies from anywhere in the world, review medical images within seconds, and even improve patient care within their facility.
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