November 10, 2017 — First Look MRI, an imaging provider based in Hoschton, Ga., has successfully implemented a full suite of eRAD technology. The implementation included eRAD RIS (radiology information system), Speech Recognition, picture archiving and communication system (PACS), patient and physician portals, and RADAR, eRad’s secure communications platform.
First Look MRI is pioneering a new approach to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams. No physician order or referral is required, and the same low price ($399) is extended to all patients, bypassing all insurance issues. Patients schedule their own appointments by phone or through eRAD’s Patient Portal, or just walk in.
Brian Gay, M.D., CEO of First Look MRI, said: “We cut to the chase. Patients who know that their headache, injury or back pain will require a scan for diagnosis can just start with us — without paying for the specialist visit to get the order.”
The flexibility of the eRAD platform was key for the implementation. First Look MRI makes custom, narrated video results available to patients, and eRAD ensured support for that service through RADAR, its tool for secure communication with patients. “Support for video files in RADAR was critical to making this work for our company,” said Charlie Wells, president and COO of First Look MRI. “That has a tremendous impact on how we can operate and compete in our market.”
eRAD provides cloud hosting so that First Look MRI can focus on its business, and not on information technology (IT) overhead. “We don’t have to worry about the expense or hassle of archiving images and managing servers,” said Gay. “It’s good to know eRAD is handling all of that appropriately.”
First Look MRI considered many vendors before selecting eRAD. “Native speech recognition was definitely an important ingredient, but truly the deciding factor was the eRAD team,” said Wells. “Everyone had an innovative spirit, just very optimistic and eager to please.”
For more information: www.erad.com