Hospital Imaging Strategies: Examining Changes in the RIS and PACS Markets

Kirk Ising, Research Operations Imaging Director, KLAS, Orem, UT, examines recent developments in the PACS and RIS markets. Although PACS has been mostly a replacement market due to saturation and hospitals focusing on Stage 1 Meaningful Use, many providers are now looking at PACS and RIS solutions as part of their long-term strategy. Functionality, integration, reporting tools, cost, vendor-neutral archives, and enterprise imaging weigh in on selections. Kirk shares KLAS research about market trends, how providers are approaching imaging solutions, the impact of pending Stage 2 and Stage 3 Meaningful Use requirements on PACS and RIS decisions, and how well vendors are stepping up to meet provider needs.