1. What are your Minimum System Requirements for PCs or Macs that will be running the echoes Browser?
Please refer to our Supported Platforms and System Requirements page for more information.
2. Can I view images from a home or remote computer?
Yes, you can view both DICOM and JPEG (Compressed DICOM) studies from home or other remote locations. In fact, all of the functionality of our software, including templating, can be accessed from any computer with the Browser installed and Internet access to your Server. See our product overview for more information.
3. Does Medstrat simply re-package third-party PACS software solutions to create a solution, like many other PACS distributors do?
Medstrat’s software solutions are developed 100% in-house by skilled Software Engineers employed by Medstrat to ensure that the unique requirements of orthopedic surgeons have not been overlooked. Our viewer and templating engine are no exception and have been designed to seamlessly integrate into an orthopedic clinic’s workflow.
4. If we go with another vendor after our contract is up with you, will you facilitate the migration of the DICOM images?
Medstrat is fully compliant with the DICOM Standard when exporting images via the echoes Browser. This means the migration of your data to a different DICOM compliant PACS involves no headaches, guesswork, or frustration because exporting DICOM is an existing feature our system.
5. How many users can sign in to echoes simultaneously?
There is no limit to the number of simultaneous user sessions; however, each actual person accessing echoes must have their own individual echoes user account. Sharing echoes user accounts is not allowed as it obfuscates log entries used to determine the actual person who accessed the Patient Health Information.
6. Do you restrict the number of DICOM Modality connections to the server?
Medstrat does not restrict the number of DICOM modalities that may use the server for storage. Please contact Medstrat Support if you wish to add another modality connection to your PACS.
7. Will your software integration with our EMR (Electronic Medical Record) system?
Medstrat has strategic partnerships with a number of EMR system vendors. We also integrate with new ones each month. If we have never worked with your EMR vendor before, we will do our best to facilitate the integration with our software. The EMR vendor simply needs to follow our EMR Interface Specification. Please contact Medstrat Support for a list of current EMR vendors that we have integrations with already.
8. Is your Modality Worklist feature an out-of-the-box solution, or does it require custom software for integration (including a lengthy waiting period for software completion)?
We provide an out-of-the-box solution to HL7 that is IHE compliant. This means your EMR, if it is IHE compliant, can send Scheduling Information (SIU) HL7 messages to our PACS. Those scheduling entries will be stored on the PACS until they are requested on the Study Date by the Modality during a DICOM Modality Worklist request. Unfortunately, some EMRs are not IHE compliant solutions for integrating with a PACS because they use their own brand of “HL7 messaging”. As such, there can be a need for collaboration between all three parties to help alleviate non-compliance issues.
9. Can I put studies on removable media (CDs, USB keys, portable hard drives)?
Our echoes Browser provides powerful tools to easily burn CDs for distribution to patients. It also provides a tool to synchronize studies and a viewer onto many types of removable media. On read-write, removable media (such as USB keys) the viewer has full functionality including all tools, templates, and the study's images. Please note that if you plan to use USB keys with our echoes To Go solution, we recommend you use IronKey to protect your Patient Health Information from breaches in cases of lost or stolen removable media.
10. I cannot access my PACS from the operating room, nor can I install software on any operating room computer, due to hospital policies and procedures. How can I get my studies into the OR while still conforming to these rules?
Our solution, echoes To Go is tailor made for just such a situation.
11. My computer says that it cannot find a CD Burner, but I know that I have one. Can I still burn a CD?
Yes, you can. Click here to download a PDF with instructions.
12. When I insert an echoes To Go CD into my CD-ROM drive, can it launch the echoes Browser automatically?
Yes, it can. Click here to download a PDF with instructions.
13. Does Medstrat service both the modality and the PACS systems?
Medstrat does service the PACS software (both the browser and server software); however, your modality is serviced through its manufacturer. Who services the server hardware that runs echoes depends upon the manner in which you purchased our system and/or any Server Replacement Program contract that you may have with us. If you purchased through a reseller of Medstrat solutions, then please contact that party first to determine your service plan. Members of Medstrat's Server Replacement Program, have the benefit of premium service and server replacement through Medstrat. Please contact Medstrat Support if you have any questions or concerns.
14. Do you offer monitoring (24 hours/day x 7 days/week x 52 weeks/year) of our system?
Yes, for servers that are accessible to us over the Internet, we constantly monitor system metrics and network load for stability and uptime. In addition, we keep an eye on the system’s hard drives to help ensure that a failed drive does not lead to further issues.
15. What is your off-site Disaster Recovery rebuild time?
The rebuild time depends upon the size of the data set that must be securely transferred to your server from Depots. A full recovery is typically achievable within 2-3 business days for cable modem speed network connections once the server is present at your location A partial recovery is available within hours after a functioning server is present at your location. If you need specifics about the size of your current data set or wish to perform a dry-run as part of your practice's policies and procedures, please contact Medstrat Support for complete information.
16. What does your system do to comply with HIPAA and HITECH requirements concerning privacy and security?
Please refer to our Privacy Policy and Security Policy for more information.