Understanding the transition to cloud-native imaging

How one imaging center used cloud-native technology to enhance operational resilience 

About Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging

Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging (SDMI) is a leading outpatient medical imaging facility in Las Vegas, renowned for its patient-focused approach and precision in diagnostics. Known for compassionate service and cutting-edge technology, SDMI is an industry pioneer. It introduced the 64-slice cardiac CT and has applied advanced AI imaging analysis across various modalities. Operating 12 facilities in southern Nevada, SDMI conducts 500,000 procedures annually and employs over 600 staff members, including 34 specialized radiologists.

SDMI lays the foundation for future growth

Recognizing the need to increase operational efficiency, reduce storage costs, enable teleradiology, and ensure robust system security and stability, Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging embarked on a transformative journey. Angie Cosca, chief information officer at SDMI, emphasized the importance of adopting a solution that would improve patient care workflow, be accessible around the clock, and be more cost-effective than their existing on-premises solutions. According to Cosca, “We were looking for a cloud-native solution due to the ease of scalability. From our research, it became clear that not all providers offer a truly cloud-native solution.”

After thorough discussions with internal stakeholders and consulting industry thought leaders, SDMI conducted an extensive evaluation of multiple vendors. Leaders chose to continue their partnership of over 20 years with Optum for their transition from on-premises to cloud-based systems. The Optum software-as-a-service (SaaS) Stratus Flex for Radiology provided SDMI a flexible journey to the cloud that includes improved security, data center savings, predictable pricing in the near term, and the flexibility to adapt and grow at its pace. The decision was influenced by the demonstrated ability of Optum to improve workflows, reduce storage costs and maintain system stability, all while adhering to the highest security standards. Stratus Imaging cloud solutions are certified with HITRUST and SOC-2, ensuring top-tier security.

The solution architecture leverages containers and microservices to enhance operational efficiency. This advanced infrastructure supports seamless future upgrades and updates that can be performed in the background. And the downtime that is typically associated with traditional on-premises systems is avoided. With this strategic choice, SDMI ensures that its imaging services remain cutting-edge and provide reliable and efficient care delivery.

The journey to the cloud begins

SDMI began its transformation by upgrading its on-premises PACS to the latest version of Change Healthcare Radiology Solutions. It also enabled both cloud-based image sharing and archiving to drive system performance and data accessibility. Adopting the latest hardware and software strengthened security.

SDMI selected Change Healthcare Stratus Imaging Share, an advanced image-sharing solution that significantly boosts collaboration among medical teams and patients. The solution shares images via the cloud versus burning CDs, ensuring faster and more reliable access to medical care. This helps improve the quality of care.

SDMI also transitioned its on-premises image archive to Change Healthcare Stratus Imaging Archive. This cloud-based solution employs SpeedRetrieve™ image streaming technology with the on-premises PACS to provide quick access to prior images. It nearly matches the speed of local storage and eliminates the typical delays associated with traditional on-premises storage.

Enhanced efficiency with cloud-based solutions

SDMI’s strategic upgrade and cloud transition optimized system operations and allowed IT personnel to focus on other critical initiatives. The scalability of its cloud-based infrastructure is a key asset for SDMI as it expands. Josh Staples, SDMI's IT director, highlighted the operational benefits, remarking, “Given our small team and the organization’s rapid growth, it’s very helpful to not have to add extra overhead.” He also noted the decreased need for maintenance and improved security as pivotal advantages of the shift to cloud storage.

According to Staples, “Transitioning to a cloud-native platform allowed for better load times, better response times, and just a better overall workflow within the full application.” Cosca emphasized the importance of accessibility, saying, “We needed something that’s available 24 hours a day, anytime, everywhere. This is crucial for maintaining uninterrupted service.”

The shift to the cloud enabled efficient image sharing with other healthcare providers and reduced reliance on physical media, significantly improving operational efficiency and patient care. Staples elaborated, “Moving images immediately enhances patient care. It also significantly improves our service delivery by reducing overhead and eliminating the confusion and need for couriers associated with CD transport.” This capability has also improved interactions with other organizations, facilitating immediate image transfers.

Summary

The transition to cloud-based medical imaging solutions has been a game-changer for SDMI, significantly enhancing service quality and operations. Both Cosca and Staples expressed their satisfaction with the collaborative efforts with Optum. “Optum has been one of the more enjoyable teams to work with out of the many vendors that we have,” said Staples.

The importance of team collaboration cannot be overstated. Cloud-based platforms enable seamless sharing and access to medical images and patient data, facilitating efficient and effective collaboration among healthcare professionals.

With cloud technology, the organization has experienced cost and time savings. These cloud-based solutions have unlocked future scalability, allowing SDMI to easily scale operations as patient volumes increase, or new facilities are added. Cosca reflected on the benefits of this partnership, saying, “We are confident in our ability to leverage the latest advanced technology to deliver the best care for our growing community thanks to the Optum solutions. We believe our capacity to adapt and thrive in the face of future challenges has been strengthened by our partnership with Optum.”