For diagnostic imaging solutions
Canada Health Infoway (Infoway) and Agfa HealthCare have reached a preferred solution agreement (PSA) providing preferential conditions and pricing for Agfa HealthCare’s Impax 6 picture archiving and communication system (PACS) and viewer as well as its Impax data center and diagnostic imaging repository (DI-r).
The Canada-wide PSA provides reduced prices for Canadian hospitals and jurisdictions who join together to implement a common PACS and DI-r infrastructure. The agreement provides the advantage of lower pricing for these groups than if they negotiated terms individually, while also encouraging regional inter-operability through shared services.
Diagnostic imaging and PACS refer to systems that allow X-rays, MRIs, ultrasounds and CT scans to be captured, viewed and transmitted electronically from one site to another. These systems replace conventional X-ray film and greatly improve access to patient information.
Diagnostic imaging repositories provide a secure environment for the storage and retrieval of diagnostic images and reports. Patients directly benefit from DI-r and PACS by the elimination of duplicate exams and unnecessary patient transfers, as well as better treatment for residents of remote communities thanks to improvements in distance reporting for radiologists, said the company.
PACS and DI-r would add the equivalent of 500 radiologists to the health care system and eliminate up to 17,000 unnecessary patient transfers annually.
Richard Alvarez, CEO of Canada Health Infoway, said: “Diagnostic imaging and picture archiving and communication systems bring great value to the Canadian health care system, allowing physicians to instantly access, share and store images anytime, anywhere with anyone who needs them.
“We’re happy to re-establish this agreement with one of the leading companies in this space. Agfa HealthCare has consistently shown its capacity to get the job done and they have a solid track record of successful projects with Infoway and its partners.”