Metron originated as the best image acquisition software in its class. Over the last several years, we have grown Metron into a DICOM communications hub. Metron supports nearly all of the major DICOM function and PACS roles.
PACS "Picture Archiving & Communications Systems".
DICOM "
Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine" is the standard method of communications and image file transfer between computers within medical practices. The purpose of DICOM is to help facilitate the transfer and share of digital images between systems that are not from the same manufacturer or supplier...or even in different locations, at independent companies, and users.
While Metron's lead role is "Acquisition", consider looking into the advantages of combining images from other acquisition sources into Metron. Use Metron as your PACS; combine the different modalities (image sources) into one common database. This approach simplifies staff use for image retrieval and report generation.
In some cases, it is even possible and beneficial for you to use Metron software to improve the performance of other existing X-Ray acquisition systems.
Why would you use a PACS? First, you may have a large existing database of X-Ray images and your practice produces a lot of
X-Ray images every day.
Second, perhaps you have several viewstations with technicians simultaneously accessing the same image database during the day. This "high traffic pattern" could tax your X-Ray acquisition computer (acting as the PACS) slowing it down and making it less efficient for each user. A dedicated PACS database provided on another computer gives added space to store and access your images separate from your daily
X-Ray acquisition activity.
Integration
is the keyword with PACS and DICOM working as important pieces. Practices will always be challenged to pick the right amount of integration - too much and you have more complexity and expense than you need - too little and you suffer from staff inefficiencies and medical practice deficiencies. Metron is both a product and a service.
Contact us to help assess your options and make good choices.
