Unifier Vendor Neutral Archive (VNA) and Cloud VNA
A Vendor Neutral Archive (VNA) consolidates imaging data from multiple systems, departments, facilities, and vendors into a centralized access point serving as a single source of truth for patient imaging information. VNAs can store and display any file format, images, or multimedia content, DICOM or non-DICOM, and retrieve data in its native format. The VNA can also act as a workflow engine by creating a DICOM Modality Worklist to route, prefetch, and send notifications. Dicom Systems Unifier Vendor Neutral Archive is a reliable archiving solution for any medical facility, regardless of size, and can be used in conjunction with other Unifier modules to ensure an efficient Enterprise Imaging ecosystem. Unifier Archive VNA includes features to improve workflows, such as scalability and interoperability for storing, organizing, and viewing imaging data with secure access from any device.
A VNA strategy largely depends on the number and variety of data sources and systems connected to the consolidated archive. There are traditionally five scenarios to evaluate before deploying a VNA.
- A single-department scenario. If only one department feeds images and related data to the archive, a scalable cloud-based PACS/MIMPS is a good solution.
- A multi-department scenario. At this level, VNA becomes necessary and will break down data silos created by different PACS/MIMPS systems, each using its tags for DICOM files.
- A multi-specialty scenario. Ingests non-DICOM formats (such as JPEGs, PDFs, texts, and videos) used by different medical specialties, keeping the information centralized and accessible across departments.
- An enterprise scenario. Provides a solution for multiple sites within the same hospital system or imaging network because it has an open architecture structure, consolidation capabilities, and data integration.
Unifier VNA and Cloud VNA Deployment Methods:
- On-premise
- Hybrid
- Cloud (Public or Private). Any private cloud in addition to our Cloud Partners available on AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, and Oracle Marketplaces.
Dicom Systems Unifier VNA Features and Benefits:
- All DICOMweb / RESTful APIs universal viewers are supported, as the system is vendor-agnostic.
- Continuous security improvements without disrupting file storage or access, which helps to maintain a high level of security for patient data.
- Primary VNA information is kept safe and secure from disasters, such as power outages, natural disasters, or cyberattacks, with the optional Disaster Recovery (DR) feature.
- 100% web-based solution. Provides access through any computer or mobile device, anywhere there is internet access, 24/7/365.
- Easy HIPAA-compliant logging and monitoring of all DICOM transactions in a user-friendly format.
- Full virtualization support and integration with major cloud solution providers such as AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, and Oracle.
- Supports hot, cold, and warm cloud storage for clinical and legal workflows.
- Supports standard archive functions, including Store SCP, Query/Retrieve SCP, Storage Commitment SCP, and Verification SCP/SCU. Native API for DICOMWEB and FHIR.
- Configurable transfer syntax allows imaging data to be converted and stored in any transfer syntax. JPEG2000 compression and JPEG-LS compression are supported.
- Statistics, reporting, and monitoring features available.
- Rules-based DICOM tag pre/post filtering, morphing, and routing tool that supports DICOM, HL7, FHIR, and DICOMweb.
- Adapts and scales as protocols change or patient data fluctuates, providing a continuous level of performance for storage and retrieval capabilities during peak usage.
Learn more about our VNA projects:
Dicom Systems Wins Department of Defense VNA Contract Press Release
If you are interested in the VNA with the Dicom Systems Unifier platform, please schedule a time with an enterprise imaging workflow expert.