Case Study: McKenzie Memorial Hospital improves imaging efficiency and security with Optum cloud-native PACS

How a fully managed cloud-native PACS transformed a rural hospital

McKenzie Memorial Hospital, a critical access hospital in Sandusky, Michigan, faced frequent PACS downtime, slow image loading, limited access to prior studies, VPN-related security concerns, and usability and integration issues. With a small enterprise imaging IT team supporting 13 locations and a growing telehealth operation, the hospital needed a more efficient and reliable imaging solution. Optum provided the cloud-native Change Healthcare Stratus Imaging PACS and Stratus Imaging Share to help modernize its radiology workflow.

Optum implemented the fully managed cloud-native PACS with minimal disruption, and radiologists quickly adapted thanks to the intuitive interface and short training requirements. The move eliminated downtime from software updates, removed the need for VPN access, and improved speed and security; radiologists could begin viewing their first image in 3.15 seconds on average. Stratus Imaging Share also reduced CD burning and made study sharing easier for patients, while Optum’s managed services freed McKenzie’s IT staff to focus on strategic telehealth initiatives.

McKenzie Memorial Hospital

Jay Smith

Director of Diagnostic and Cardiopulmonary Imaging