One of the largest components to consider regarding your PAC System is how to store all your patient digital images and related data. What are the three components of an ideal storage solution? Capacity. Reliability. Security. When choosing which storage option is best for your needs, keep these three components in mind.
Local Storage
Local storage refers to an array of hard drives that provide quick access to your patient files and enables you to store all your images onsite via your local PACS. In this non-virtualized, onsite storage option, your server connects directly to your storage component.
Traditionally, digital medical images and all related data have been stored locally on a PAC System’s server for quick and easy retrieval. Opting for this client-based server storage solution (in-house and locally) requires the implementation, at your physical location, of a PACS server and all the related hardware and software. While this is convenient and cheaper than any other source of storage, two factors must be considered before opting for this method exclusively:
1 How many files, images, and storage can your PAC System’s server hold and manage; (what is its raw capacity for storage)
2 In the event of an unpredictable event (flooding, short circuits, vandalism, fire) that may cause a permanent breakdown of your PAC System, what plan-of-action are you going to implement to retrieve and recover all those files and images that were stored only in your local PAC System’s server?
You can choose to back-up your files locally on various off-line media, including tapes, optical media, DVDs, hard drives, or other removable media separate from your PACS hardware. Systems can allow for hard drives to be attached to the PAC System’s server via Direct-attached Storage (DAS), Network-attached Storage (NAS), or a Storage Area Network (SAN). If you choose to attach this additional storage option, the drives should be configured as Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID.) A RAID configuration will provide both faster disk access and protection against the failure of disks. Storing files on tape and other off-line media then requires the back-up files to be physically transferred to a designated off-site storage location.
One of the downsides to utilizing this environment for your storage is that a specific server expects complete ownership of the physical device, with an entire disc drive tied to that one single server. Since this traditional storage method uses a centralized server to manage a disk array, it can create dependency and multiple points of failure within the storage system.
Onsite Storage with an Application Service Provider (ASP)
An ASP option involves a vendor installing and managing (for a per- procedure fee) all your storage archives onsite. This option enables you to have onsite image archives without the expense (initially) of having to also invest in archive hardware. By keeping everything onsite, you are not relinquishing control of your images to an offsite location. By acquiring your own onsite archive, your “ownership” costs are spread out over a longer period of time vs. having to pay for the service all at once. In addition, when choosing this option, try negotiating with the ASP vendor to have them take responsibility for implementing, maintaining, and upgrading the onsite archive.
