Background into a VNA
A vendor-neutral archive supports vendors often using various formats and systems for imaging technologies. Often, VNAs don’t depend on the software used by the vendor to promote sharing [1]. This allows healthcare providers to utilize different imaging technologies within one archive so that it can be easily accessed by multiple vendors [1]. This requires standardization among data storage so that images are easily managed across systems [1]. Furthermore, since most of the data contains sensitive patient data, VNA deployment must promote patient safety and privacy [1]. Another important feature of VNAs is their ability to communicate between different health IT systems, such as electronic health record systems [1]. Overall, this promotes long-term data storage and data analysis regardless of the type of imaging saved or where it was saved from.
Benefits that come with Implementing a VNA
VNAs support interoperability by promoting access to data among different systems and facilities [2]. VNAs accomplish this by becoming the point that connects a multitude of data from different organizations, regardless of whether the format of the data being saved is different [2]. This makes it easier to view data, makes workflows more efficient, and decreases the total cost of ownership [2]. Furthermore, VNAs support long-term storage, which is important since images often have to be saved for at least 5 years [2]. Furthermore, VNAs support reliable data security and protection due to their data management techniques and IT protocols [2]. Overall, VNAs offer providers a flexible and efficient data management service that is able to grow as the organization grows [2]. This encourages each organization to create goals specifically catered to them and promotes the integration of new applications and archives that would best support their patients and doctors [2].
Challenges associated with a VNA
Although a VNA promotes multiple advantages, there are also some issues that come with using a VNA. For instance, changing from a different digital imaging library to a VNA will bring about costs [3]. Furthermore, vendor lock-ins can increase future costs down the road, as well as the lack of ownership of the data [3]. Additionally, implementing a VNA does not automatically provide improved workflow management or data security [3]. Healthcare providers will have to develop a plan so that the transition to a VNA service will bring about improved workflows and efficiencies in healthcare [3]. This requires organizational strategies to be developed, a focus on governance, and for leadership to step up [3]. Regardless, a VNA is an effective tool for promoting secure, accessible, and interoperable imaging data when deployed correctly.
Future Trends to Expect From a VNA
Imaging management technologies have become more collaborative over time, promoting secure data management [4]. The overall goals of these systems are to improve workflow, support positive patient experiences, and utilize data to make meaningful decisions. Therefore, it’s no surprise that the trends in VNAs are incorporating various other technologies to keep up with demand and innovation. For instance, AI is becoming a major factor in medical imaging, especially as a tool to analyze and support doctors in the decision-making process [4]. Regarding VNAs, AI can be used for repetitive tasks such as tagging images or keeping track of priorities [4]. AI can also improve the accuracy and workflow of imaging technologies [4]. This in turn will support data structure in VNAs and aid doctors to gain more analysis from data being stored and accessed.
Another trend in the use of VNAs is to support cuber resiliency [4]. This means that providers will not only be able to detect and respond to a cyber attack, but they will also be able to recover from one without disrupting the infrastructure [4]. This is becoming an increasingly pressing issue because of the amount of data that is used by imaging technologies. Oftentimes, multiple imaging tools are used to help make diagnoses on patients. This in turn increases the amount of data being stored and accessed by providers within a healthcare system and between different healthcare systems. This means a focus has to be established to protect data not only when it is stored, but also when it is in motion. Therefore, VNAs will continue to emphasize securing data and protecting access to it [4].
HITS
HITS promotes data governance by incorporating the customer experience into the process. We also co-facilitate working groups to complete project deliverables that meet stakeholders’ requirements. Additionally, HITS works with leadership to create the next steps needed for project development. Furthermore, HITS incorporates customer experience principles into the data strategy plan with measurable performances to improve the overall process. Clients frequently commend HITS for our hands-on approach to improving customer experience. This ensures that their day-to-day operations run smoothly and that no project or task is missed. Data governance is crucial to the smooth operation of a business and ensures that human-centered design is delivered to consumers. Therefore, HITS works with companies to create, manage, and optimize personalized plans to achieve data governance goals.
References
- https://www.intelerad.com/en/2023/04/20/what-is-vendor-neutral-archive/
- https://www.ramsoft.com/vendor-neutral-archive-advantages
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6456740/#:~:text=Some%20other%20caveats%20to%20remember,VNA%20is%20to%20be%20replaced.
- https://www.itnonline.com/article/5-major-trends-shaping-future-enterprise-imaging
