PACS: want to install a low cost PACS in my clinic

[Ligament]

Setting:
1. Interventional Pain Clinic. 1-2 doctors.
2. One clinic location
3. Entire office is Mac OS X

Goal:

1. PACS server (or NAS). If server prefer Mac OSX or if NAS prefer synology or QNAP
2. Staff will pop image CD in reader, load into PACS
3. Physician can access PACS via DICOM viewer (prefer HOROS or OSIRIX) on any computer in the clinic over wifi.
4. Not generating reports. Viewing images only.

Will be adding imaging from 2-8 patients per day, each patient having 1-4 imaging studies most likely. 90% MRI, 5% xray, 4% CT, 1% other (spect)

Some options:
1. Mac Mini running OSIRIX X as a PACS server and high speed external CD reader
2. Synology NAS running this plugin
PACS - Add-on Packages | Synology Inc.
--if use NAS solution, how to best get images from CD onto NAS?
3. Cloud PACS...what is the cost? My imaging database is small.

Want to stay away from Windows or Linux. Dont like Windows. Like Linux in theory but dont know how to administer it and dont have time to learn.

I am the owner, physician and IT guy.

Need suggestions. Thanks in advance.

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[hyperalgesia]

I like this idea but I don't know if it's worth it.

How much and how often are you really gonna look at an image?

A cloud set up at this volume is going to cost you and arm and leg because cloud charges are by time stored. Just sitting there, the data charges rack up for old images you will never look at again.

If you're gonna do it, I would upgrade your hardware and keep in house.

I know nothing of the software...

 

[SommeRiver]

How much and how often are you really gonna look at an image?

Do you not XRAY on new pt visits? Also you don't look at MRI scans yourself?

 

[lobelsteve]

Osirix x or Horos. Both good on osx.

Any NAS with desired storage.
Cd/dvd to scan in dicoms.

Easy and cheap except for software purchase.

I like free Horos as viewer on my Mac. I use this when my in house rads dept has trouble scanning in a disc to our Novarad setup.

 

[hyperalgesia]

Do you not XRAY on new pt visits? Also you don't look at MRI scans yourself?

I review images with pt once from the disc, scan/upload report, documenting any additional observations I have, and give the disc back to the pt.

I store fluoro image views on my system.

I also have access to all local MRI facility images on their systems should I ever need them, which I rarely do.

 

[Ligament]

Osirix x or Horos. Both good on osx.

Any NAS with desired storage.
Cd/dvd to scan in dicoms.

Easy and cheap except for software purchase.

I like free Horos as viewer on my Mac. I use this when my in house rads dept has trouble scanning in a disc to our Novarad setup.

Hi Steve,

Which NAS are you using and which PACS software on that NAS?

I use HOROS as well and like it.

 

[emd123]

I love the idea of having a big high res Pacs for MRI viewing since our work laptops aren't ideal for viewing images. The screens and viewing windows are too small. I'm not sure if buying a whole Pacs system would be worth it for me, though.

 

[Ligament]

 

[lobelsteve]

Hi Steve,

Which NAS are you using and which PACS software on that NAS?

I use HOROS as well and like it.

Northside Hospital server farm. Novarad is our package, but we will migrate to centricity soon.