Executive Summary

Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) revolutionised medical imaging by digitising film-based workflows. However, PACS were designed for departmental use within single institutions. Aurabox extends beyond traditional PACS limitations to enable cross-organisational collaboration, patient engagement, and modern cloud-based workflows while complementing existing PACS investments.

Understanding PACS

Core PACS Functions

Digital image storage and retrieval
Worklist management for radiologists
Integration with modalities (CT, MRI, X-ray)
Reporting and annotation tools
Department-level workflow management

PACS Limitations

Designed for single-institution use
Complex external access requirements
Limited patient engagement capabilities
High infrastructure and maintenance costs
Vendor lock-in challenges

The Aurabox Approach

Complementary Technology

Aurabox is not a PACS replacement but a complementary platform that extends PACS capabilities:

Works alongside any existing PACS
No disruption to current workflows
Preserves PACS investment
Adds new capabilities without complexity

Extended Capabilities

Cross-organisational imaging exchange
Patient portal and mobile access
Cloud-based disaster recovery
Vendor-neutral architecture
Modern API integrations

Detailed Comparison

| Aspect | Traditional PACS | Aurabox | |--------|-----------------|---------| | Primary Purpose | Departmental imaging management | Cross-organisational collaboration | | Architecture | On-premise servers | Cloud-native platform | | Access Model | VPN/Citrix for external | Zero-footprint web access | | Patient Access | Limited or none | Full patient portal | | Sharing Method | CD/DVD burning | Secure web links | | Prior Studies | Same institution only | Any connected provider | | Disaster Recovery | Expensive redundancy | Built-in cloud backup | | Scalability | Hardware-limited | Unlimited cloud scaling | | Updates | Manual upgrades | Automatic updates | | Cost Model | Large capital expense | Subscription-based |

Use Case Scenarios

Scenario 1: Specialist Referral

PACS Only: Burn CD, patient carries to specialist, may not open PACS + Aurabox: Instant secure link, specialist views immediately

Scenario 2: Emergency Department

PACS Only: Cannot access external imaging, may repeat studies PACS + Aurabox: All prior imaging available instantly

Scenario 3: Patient Request

PACS Only: Manual process, CD creation, pickup required PACS + Aurabox: Self-service portal, immediate access

Scenario 4: Multi-Site Organisation

PACS Only: Complex VPN setup, multiple logins PACS + Aurabox: Single platform, unified access

Integration Architecture

Standard DICOM Integration

Aurabox receives studies via standard DICOM
Auto-forward rules from PACS
Selective or complete forwarding
Maintains PACS as primary archive

Workflow Integration

PACS remains imaging workflow engine
Aurabox handles external sharing
Unified worklist capabilities
Complementary reporting tools

Financial Analysis

PACS Total Cost of Ownership

Initial license: $500K - $2M
Annual maintenance: 15-20% of license
Infrastructure: $200K - $500K
IT support: 2-3 FTEs
Upgrades: $100K - $300K every 3-5 years

Aurabox Investment

No capital expenditure
Predictable subscription model
No infrastructure costs
Minimal IT support required
Automatic updates included

ROI Calculation

Reduced imaging duplication: $300K/year
Eliminated CD/DVD costs: $50K/year
Staff efficiency gains: $200K/year
Improved referral capture: $500K/year
Total annual benefit: $1M+

Implementation Strategy

Phase 1: External Sharing (Month 1)

Replace CD burning with Aurabox for external sharing

Phase 2: Patient Portal (Month 2)

Launch patient self-service capabilities

Phase 3: Network Building (Months 3-6)

Connect with regional providers for imaging exchange

Phase 4: Advanced Integration (Months 6-12)

Implement workflow automation and analytics

Decision Framework

Keep PACS for:

Primary imaging archive
Modality connections
Radiologist workflows
Departmental operations

Add Aurabox for:

External sharing
Patient engagement
Disaster recovery
Cross-organisational access
Mobile access

Conclusion

PACS and Aurabox serve different but complementary purposes. PACS excels at departmental imaging management, while Aurabox enables modern connectivity, collaboration, and patient engagement. Together, they create a comprehensive imaging ecosystem that meets all stakeholder needs while maximising existing investments and preparing for future interoperability requirements.

Aurabox vs PACS