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For immediate release:  April 19, 2007 (Clyde, NC)

Better Patient Care from HRMC Cited by Leading National Conference

Advance radiology technology at Haywood Regional Medical Center was nationally recognized last month at the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) annual conference.

The radiology technology is known as a picture archiving and communications system (PACS). The PACS is computer hardware and software used for the storage, retrieval, distribution, and display of radiological images. PACS is made by DR Systems in San Diego, Calif.

HRMC’s poster presentation was honored by ACHE because of its improvements to HRMC’s computer network and the medical center's state-of-the-art PACS. The presentation demonstrated how the network enhancements enable HRMC to take full advantage of the PACS’ capabilities.

HRMC performs approximately 80,000 imaging studies per year and is regarded as a national leader in the utilization of PACS information technology.
Russell Cain, M.S., CRA, Administrative Director of Imaging Services at HRMC, authored the poster.

HRMC’s PACS initiative was a multi-faceted project. One key element involved gaining doctors’ buy-in to the system’s advantages after the PACS was implemented in August 2004. Referring doctors were shown that the PACS’ Web-distribution capabilities would give them immediate access to both current and prior imaging studies from any Web-connected computer – even at their home or while traveling.

HRMC's radiologists decided to create reports on radiology images (such as X-rays and MRIs) using the PACS’ voice recognition software, instead of conventional dictation and transcription. The radiologists now use voice recognition 100 percent of the time for all imaging modalities. From exam order to completion, turnaround time has been reduced from several hours to an average of 40 minutes.

HRMC upgraded its IT network in September 2005. It then installed a new digital archive system and interfaced it with the PACS late last year. The changes mean large digital imaging files can move more quickly through the system, allowing doctors to access both current and prior exams much more rapidly.

Among gains described in the poster:

• Better patient care. Radiologists can deliver quicker diagnosis and treatment to critically ill patients.
• Cost saving from digital imaging. PACS usage has nearly eliminated film use at Haywood, saving $75,000/year in film costs plus additional savings in chemicals, processing, and labor costs.
• Overall cost savings. Figured very conservatively, gross savings from the PACS come to about $650,000/year. Also calculated very conservatively, net savings – including depreciation and service – come to about $375,000/year.
• Better service for referring physicians. Benefits for referring doctors include rapid turnaround time for radiologists’ reports, along with easy Web access to images and reports.
• Better service for radiologists. Restores from archives take only 1 second.

Haywood is currently implementing an electronic medical record (EMR) system that will be interfaced with the PACS. The EMR will make imaging studies even easier for physicians to locate, creating additional efficiency in the doctors’ workflow.

About Haywood Regional Medical Center:
Founded in 1927, HRMC provides major health services both to residents in its home base of Haywood County, N.C. and to residents of neighboring counties throughout Western North Carolina. The 125-bed medical center is a regional healthcare leader, putting the most advanced technology available in the hands of some of the most highly educated and credentialed staff in their fields nationwide. Haywood is also a leader in preventive care, providing advanced facilities and programs in health and fitness.

For more information, call 828-456-7311 or toll-free 800-834-1729, or visit www.haymed.org.

Russell Cain, M.S., CRA, Administrative Director of Imaging Services at HRMC, shares a computer printout of the PACS poster he authored for the ACHE conference. The actual display presentation was approximately 3 feet by 4 feet in measurement.