RadioNuk Selects Algotec PACS

Advanced Technology Provides Connectivity with Eight Manufacturers

Algotec, the innovative PACS and teleradiology company, has been selected by RadioNuk, a high-volume private radiology practice in Wiesbaden, Germany, to provide a PACS and teleradiology system linking it to the local public hospitals it serves. 

"Because of our close relationship with Bad Schwallbach and Paulinentift hospitals, we needed to ensure timely, efficient service to these facilities to expand our business, “ commented Dr. Claus Frank, President of RadioNuk.  “First and foremost, we wanted a fast, reliable and user friendly way to transport images to our offices from the hospitals for primary reading.  And we wanted to streamline our overall communications with our referring physicians."

Both hospitals are located nearby in Wiesbaden and provide a significant volume of RadioNuk’s caseload. Dr. Frank notes that a major challenge was connecting the PACS to hardware from eight different manufacturers at the three locations.  These included a variety of  acquisition devices from  Philips, Marconi, Swissray, Siemans, GE and Agfa, as well as printers from Kodak and Aycan.

"To streamline this, we knew we needed an open Web-based system, capable of handling the DICOM and HL-7 protocols.  It was also very important that the system we purchased ensured future connectivity and was scalable, allowing us to plan future growth. " he said, noting that Algotec was one of the first companies to adopt a JAVA platform and develop a Web interface for a PACS.  “We like to stay in the forefront of technology and an innovative company such as Algotec was consistent with that philosophy.”

In addition, Dr. Frank felt Algotec offered a range of advanced technologies, which was extremely cost-effective and was willing to work with them to customize the PACS to meet their needs. For the system, Algotec provided RadioNuk with a large central archive at their Central Office. Images from Paulinentift are sent directly to RadioNuk for storage.  Bad Schwallbach has its own local short-term archive, with the RadioNuk location providing long-term storage. Both hospitals have dedicated lines connected directly to the main archive.

Primary reading takes place on Algotec's MediPrime dedicated workstations, while MediSurf provides a Web interface for communications of images over the Internet to RadioNuk doctors at home as well as to referring physicians not connected to the hospital network. RadioNuk Is also  equipped with Algotec's CD-Surf, which burns images directly to self-playing CDs for manual distribution to doctors without an Internet connection and to patients.

"We are extremely pleased with the Algotec system," says Dr. Frank.  "It interfaces seamlessly with all the different manufacturers involved.  Moreover, it is reliable, expandable and upgradeable to ensure use for years to come."

Since 1993, Algotec has been a recognized leader in the medical imaging information management, processing, teleradiology and PACS arena.   In 1997,  Algotec was the first company to receive FDA clearance for Web-based PACS viewer. With headquarters in Israel and marketing and sales subsidiaries in the U.S., France and Germany, the company's products are used in more than 1,000 healthcare institutions worldwide.

Algotec's ImagiNet family of solutions includes ProVision, a 3D multi modality processing workstation; MediPrime, a radiology reading and reporting station; MediStore, a combined distributed/central architecture for on line and long term storage and image management; MediSurf, a Web based image access engine and display enabler; MediLink, a workflow engine and a configurable interface to healthcare information systems; Auto-Router, a Web based and Web controlled image and data router; CD-Surf, a self playing, soft copy media for images and reports; and Med-e-Mail, an email reporting system of key images and reports.

For more information about Algotec, call 770-291-2022 or visit its Website at  www.algotec.com.