Intelerad Medical Systems has struck a deal to supply more than 1,300 members of Strategic Radiology with cloud-based medical image management systems for performance and workflow optimization.

Among the solutions it will dole out are the InteleOne XE, a cross-enterprise diagnostic imaging platform for managing patient volume; the nuage Cloud Imaging Platform with IntelePACS, which uses communications and compression technology to preserve image and data quality; and Clario SmartWorklist, a personalized and context-aware enterprise imaging solution designed to intelligently manage reading workflow.

Strategic Radiology is a coalition of independent radiologists. Such professionals often struggle to afford the latest technologies, with close to 70% of doctors switching to private equity firms, hospitals or other corporate organizations before the beginning of 2021. To help reduce burnout, productivity declines and revenue losses, many engage in mergers and acquisitions to scale up, especially now during the pandemic.

The partnership is expected to allow radiology practices to remain independent by providing them with enhanced interoperability to share their technologies and collaborate with peers across practice settings. In doing so, the aim is to reduce burnout, improve operational efficiencies and adjust radiology’s private practice model for the better, according to Dr. Scott Bundy, CEO of Strategic Radiology.

“The technology needed to address these challenges has often been out of reach for many independent, small- and mid-sized groups. Together with Intelerad, we’re thrilled to now provide our member groups access to rich solutions that increase productivity,” he said in a statement.

Under the partnership, Strategic Radiology members can choose a shared environment model in which practices have the SR Enterprise License to join other members and scale up their operations while maintaining data privacy and security in Intelerad’s hosted environment. They also can choose the Independent Practice License model, which allows access to Intelerad Managed Services. That includes turnkey access to necessary software, hardware and cloud support for all solutions.

One member, Rome Radiology Group, in Northwest Georgia and East Alabama, has chosen the SR Enterprise License option and will incorporate Intelerad’s InteleOne XE platform. It is projected to save 36% on IT costs in the first year alone,” says Mike Lipps, Intelerad chief executive officer. “With a shared goal of achieving interoperability, driving value for radiologists, and improving patient outcomes, the partnership between Intelerad and Strategic Radiology is a natural fit.”

In addition to Strategic Radiology, Intelerad recently extended its cloud-based offerings to LifeBridge Health in Maryland to enhance its workflow and productivity, optimize its resources and protect its patient data. This collaboration also included Intelerad’s nuage Cloud Imaging Platform with IntelePACS solution.

It also, earlier this month, acquired Insignia Medical Systems in the U.K. to help hospital trusts on thinner budgets meet higher demands for imaging from an aging population with more diverse conditions.

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