DR. MARK BLATT, ON WORLDWIDE TRENDS DRIVING VNA ADOPTION:
“VNA HAS DEMOCRATIZED THE IMAGE.”
Of course the government incentives behind the United States healthcare
industry’s adoption of technology are unique to the US. But the need to
reduce the cost of healthcare and to improve outcomes is a worldwide trend.
For example, in Australia’s New South Wales, a statewide VNA has reduced
the cost of sharing information and has improved outcomes. Britain’s National
Health Service Trust has a policy to refuse payment for hospital re-admissions
within 30 days. Making images universally available will not only reduce
costs but will improve our diagnostic capability, leading to the goal of better
outcomes. Throughout the world, availability of images is reducing the cost
of care.