If, by snapshot technology, you mean Windows Shadow Copy, I did look into this, but it does not seem appropriate for PACS archival. Firstly, it would take tremendous disk space as we grow, further stressing the budget. Also, it is not intended as a backup solution, and as such, restores one file at a time. It would simply be impossible to restore all the study information in a resonable time frame. However, if you mean some other technology, then I would love to hear more.

Everything in our company does go to tape, EXCEPT pacs data. We simply do not have the means to handle that volume of data. At some point, I would love to get there. Until then, we live knowing that certain specific circumstances could permanently destroy our data. (keeps my boss up at night).

Each clinic location has one PACS server. It can be communicating with up to 7 or 8 modalities (mostly ultrasound, some nuc med, fluro, and DR). It also handles the 5 or 6 client workstations that want images. Lastly, it sends a copy of everything it receives to a central storage server system.

I do not have a number, but not too many studies are accessed remotely. There are a few times a tech or rad wants to see previous that do not exist on the local server (either too old, or done at another clinic). No pre fetching is in use at this time. The only thing we do is auto send all cases to the rad’s PC so they can work as quickly as possible.

I very much appreciate your questions and any comments. Every thing we do is based on what I know. There have certainly been times in the past when I came across some knowledge or technology that drastically improved some aspect of the process.

Assuming, you are using Windows, you may want to look in to built-in snapshot technology to protect against virus/corruption threat.

Are you currently backing up to a removable media at some point?

How many and type of modalities are sending data to one server? Are you using same server for receiving new studies, retrieving priors, studies storage and workflow management?

What percentage of new and prior studies are accessed remotely? Do you use pre-fetching?

I guess enough questions for now.

I designed infrastructure for several multi-site PACS incorporating geographically distributed remote clinics (3 to 25 sites, 2TB to 400TB), so I will be happy to brainstorm, if you desire.

Anil