The strategic and operational characteristics of a distributed phased archive for a multivendor incremental implementation of picture archiving and communications systems

The long-term (10 years) multimodality distributed phased archive for the M edical Information, Communication and Archive System (MICAS) is being imple mented in three phases. The selection process took approximately 10 months. Based on the mandatory archive attributes and desirable features, Cemax-Ic on (Fremont, CAI was selected as the vendor. The archive provides for an op en-solution allowing incorporation of leading edge, "best of breed" hardwar e and software and provides maximum flexibility and automation of workflow both within and outside of radiology. The solution selected is media-indepe ndent, provides expandable storage capacity, and will provide redundancy an d fault tolerance in phase II at minimum cost. Other attributes of the arch ive include scalable archive strategy, virtual image database with global q uery, and an object-oriented database. The archive is seamlessly integrated with the radiology information system (RIS) and provides automated fetchin g and routing, automated study reconciliation using modality worklist manag er, clinical reports available at any Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) workstation, and studies available for interpretation whe ther validated or not. Within 24 hours after a new study is acquired, four copies will reside within different components of the archive including a c opy that can be stored off-site. Phase II of the archive will be installed during 1999 and will include a second Cemax-Icon archive and database using archive manager (AM) Version 4.0 in a second computer room. Copyright (C) 1999 by W.B. Saunders Company.