RADIOLOGY WORKSTATIONS

MYTH: "All you need to run Diagnostic Radiology software is a $500 computer."
FACT: While your computer might "run," there are numerous issues that are unlikely to be addressed by a $500 computer.

It is not necessary to spend as much money on review workstations (RVWK) as diagnostic workstations (DXWK).  RVWK?s are for quick review by clinicians and do not require the same computing power of the diagnostic stations.  For image review other than final interpretation, we recommend the RVWK?s since they are a solid, low cost computer that only contain the most crucial components and no unneeded parts.  As with all major ROCOVIEW products, remote service is available.

At ROCOVIEW, we believe you should spend as little money as possible as you construct your system but there are a few crucial places that value is important. By putting a little more investment into your workstations, you can significantly reduce downtime, accelerate applications, improve efficiency, and ultimately SAVE MONEY.
Here are a few ways ROCOVIEW diagnostic workstations address these issues and stand apart from most workstations:

Standard Radiology Viewing Software is eFilm workstation v1.9.
Alternate viewing software is available upon request - prices vary.

• Dual drives mirrored RAID1: When you loose a drive, you loose everything. Your entire local patient data base, all your personal settings, files, and operating system are gone. Most likely, your IT department will require a minimum 24 hour turnaround time to restore all your info (if it's all backed up AND they have an extra configurable drive right there!). Most Radiologists cannot be without their workstation for 24 hours, or even one hour, not to mention the strain on your backup resources. This compromises patient care which can mean increased patient morbidity and mortality. With dual drives, you can keep working when a drive goes out since the system automatically switches to the other drive and immediately sends an email describing the issue to our networking engineers who can frequently solve the problem remotely without interrupting your workflow. Most other providers do not provide or support this configuration.
  

• UPS battery backup: In the event of a power failure, this allows the user to complete the tasks at hand and save crucial files before shutting down. This feature usually pays for itself the first time in frustration savings alone.
  

• 1024MB RAM: Larger imaging studies require significant memory to be viewed properly, especially CT. This memory size allows more room for the operating system and other applications without getting bogged down.
  

• CD-RW: This allows the Radiologists to generate a portable copy of a patient study.
  

• High quality components: We are not restricted to a single vendor and can therefore choose the most appropriate component as needed without having to install a brother product. The case is brushed aluminum with seven fans for significantly reduced heat. A simple office speaker system is included.
  

• Fax-modem: This allows the Radiologist to send faxes directly from the workstation obviating the need to involve a secretary. This keeps a record of the fax content and time of transmission for QA.
  

• ROCOboard: The keyboard is color-coded and labeled for improved efficiency and reduced training sessions.
  

• Redundant power supplies: This reduces the likelihood of damage to components in case of a power supply failure.
  

• Software: The costs of software including the operating system, Radiology reading software, defragmentation, antivirus, ghosting, faxware, hotkey programming are included. Also included is software installation, testing, configuration, and burn in.
  

• Remote service contracts available: Workstations need service and support but emergency service and PM can get in the way of the interpreting Radiologist. Internet access allows our networking engineers to remotely answer questions, solve problems, update virus definitions, defragment disks, update the OS and other installed programs.
  Indeed these features increase the base cost of your workstation but we have found these particular features to be well worth it in the long run.
  
  
  Greg Rose, MD, PhD