As patient care continues to shift towards decentralisation, providing a more convenient pathway for diagnosis and treatment, a new challenge has emerged in the form of data silos. 

These silos arise from different departments and sites, as well as the multitude of novel systems and devices that contribute to patient care. However, regional diagnostic networks can address this issue by connecting systems, people, and solutions, enabling access to the right information at the right time.

By establishing centralised repositories containing comprehensive patient information, these networks integrate different clinical systems, ensuring interoperability and data exchange, and enabling precision medicine.
 
Getting the full picture 

The primary objective of regional networks is to provide clinicians with a single longitudinal patient record, which provides a complete view of patients' data across departments and facilities.

Allowing stakeholders to have immediate access to a complete patient history enables better-informed decisions and a deeper understanding of each patient's care pathway. This can significantly reduce the number of duplicate exams and improve turnaround times by providing access to remote specialists rather than requiring in-person visits. 

Patient-centred care often necessitates a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach, requiring relevant specialists to have access to information whenever needed. By fostering boundaryless collaboration across regional networks, integrated care can be delivered regardless of where the patient is being treated, reducing health inequalities and enhancing overall patient experience and satisfaction. 

European funds to accelerate digital transformation
 
Many countries and regions across Europe have already implemented robust enterprise imaging strategies to enable a connected care approach. 

A decade ago, the Västra Götaland region in Sweden connected 17 hospitals and 121 healthcare centres, resulting in a reduction of the number of duplicate exams, improvements in turnaround time of second opinions by remote specialists and the enablement of teleradiology across the region.

Today, European funds are playing a key role in catalysing digital transformation in healthcare. Italy, through its national procurement body (CONSIP), is investing €750 million in a three-year plan, which aims to create and implement innovative digital health services across the country. 

As part of this framework, the Veneto region in northern Italy will construct a regional diagnostic network connecting 12 large healthcare units, providing connected care services to more than 5 million people. This network will archive all diagnostic data in a regional vendor neutral archive (VNA).
 
Enabling connected care

Embarking on the journey towards connected care is not a simple task. Healthcare providers must update their infrastructures and select the right technology while also undergoing profound cultural and process changes in patient care. 

To facilitate this, GE Healthcare has been a trusted partner for customers worldwide for more than a decade. As well as providing support during the planning and implementation phases, GE Healthcare now offers cloud-based solutions that provide the flexibility and scalability necessary to meet present and future healthcare provider needs.

To learn more, visit GE Healthcare at HIMSS23 Europe in Lisbon or request a demo.