Balancing Application Standardization with Clinician Preference a Key to Enterprise Imaging Success at WVU

While there are major benefits to having all clinicians working off the same PACS, sometimes exceptions have to be made and physician preferences accommodated, said Chuck Barkey, Associate Vice President of IT Enterprise Clinical Inpatient & Ancillary Systems at WVU Medicine. Luckily, technologies like the VNA make such flexibility possible, he added.

In a recent interview with healthsystemCIO.com Editor-in-Chief Anthony Guerra, Barkey described the organization’s enterprise imaging journey.

 Embracing a Dual Role in IT Leadership

 Barkey’s role at WVU Medicine is multifaceted. He not only oversees IT systems for inpatient and ancillary services but also serves as the senior IT leader for six hospitals in WVU’s northern zone. This dual role requires balancing strategic oversight with the operational needs of various facilities.

“My primary focus is on ensuring our clinical and imaging systems operate smoothly across our entire health system,” Barkey explained. “At the same time, I directly support six hospitals, addressing unique challenges and ensuring consistency in IT services.”

 A Deep Dive into Imaging Systems

 While first efforts (many years ago) were centered on developing proprietary PACS solutions tailored to their health system’s needs, over time the focus shifted towards integrating more scalable, vendor-supported solutions. “We moved from physical servers to virtualized environments, and now we’re pushing towards cloud-based solutions,” Barkey noted. This evolution reflects the broader industry trend towards virtualization and cloud adoption in healthcare IT.

 Overcoming Traditional Imaging Challenges

Barkey described the historical challenges of imaging in healthcare—scenarios familiar to many IT executives. Traditionally, images were stored on disparate systems, and sharing them between institutions involved physical media like CDs and DVDs. This cumbersome process often led to delays and inefficiencies in patient care.

“In 2008, we developed software to enable electronic image sharing across 10 hospitals with different PACS,” Barkey recounted. “By 2019, we unified our imaging systems under a single PACS vendor, FujiFilm, covering 13 hospitals at the time. Today, we have expanded to 24 hospitals under one system, with a 25th joining soon.”

This consolidation effort not only streamlined operations but also significantly enhanced clinicians’ ability to access and share images seamlessly. The standardization meant that all hospitals within the system could operate using the same workflows and imaging tools, fostering greater efficiency and consistency in patient care.

Enhancing Patient Experience and Care Delivery

One of WVU Medicine’s strategic goals has been to make image sharing more intuitive and accessible for both clinicians and patients. Barkey explained how the introduction of Intelerad’s Ambra platform will further their goals in this area.

“We’re transitioning to a system where patients can directly access their imaging data through our MyChart portal,” Barkey said. “They can download their images and share them with external physicians as needed, significantly reducing dependency on physical media and third-party couriers.”

The Push Towards Digital Pathology

Another significant milestone for WVU Medicine was the adoption of a digital pathology platform, a move that Barkey describes as transformative. Introduced during the height of the pandemic, the platform enabled pathologists to work more efficiently and reduced reliance on physical slides.

“Digital pathology allows for faster, more accurate diagnostics,” Barkey explained. “It integrates seamlessly with our existing imaging systems, ensuring that all departments can access and share pathology data as needed.”

Balancing Standardization and Customization

A recurring theme in healthcare IT is the tension between standardization and customization. While standardizing systems across the enterprise offers clear benefits in terms of efficiency and interoperability, there is often pushback from clinicians who favor specialized tools tailored to their specific needs.

“We aim for a ‘best of breed’ approach where possible, particularly in areas like cardiology,” Barkey said. “By using a vendor-neutral archive (VNA), we can integrate specialized applications while maintaining a unified repository for all imaging data.”

Gaining Leadership Buy-in for IT Initiatives

Implementing such sweeping changes requires strong support from organizational leadership. Barkey emphasized the importance of securing buy-in from the C-suite and other stakeholders. “Our CEO, CIO, and other leaders are fully aligned with our IT strategy,” he said. “This alignment is crucial for ensuring that our technology initiatives are fully supported and resourced.”

Barkey also highlighted the value of communication and education in building consensus. “We make it clear that while there may be upfront costs and challenges (with migrating new acquisitions to a new PACS system), the long-term benefits—improved patient care, operational efficiency, and cost savings—are well worth it.”

The Future of Healthcare IT at WVU Medicine

Looking ahead, Barkey sees continued growth and innovation on the horizon for WVU Medicine. The organization is preparing to onboard its 25th hospital, further expanding its integrated network of care.

“Our goal is to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with healthcare IT,” Barkey concluded. “Whether it’s through advanced imaging technologies, enhanced data sharing capabilities, or patient-centric innovations, we’re committed to leading the way in delivering better care through technology.”

Watch the full interview here; listen below or subscribe to healthsystemCIO on your favorite podcasting channel

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