VNA versus PACS: the 13 main differences

Medical images in DICOM format are very common, but they are not the only medical imaging formats. Depending on the specialty, the variety of file formats and clinical information varies, and in every case the same level of sensitivity applies when handling them to ensure proper management.

A PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) helps you generate, organize and store information related to medical images, which helps optimize clinical workflow, while a VNA (Vendor Neutral Archive) is an easily accessible technology that allows you to share and view medical images and clinically relevant information in a standard format, meaning not necessarily in DICOM format.

Both a PACS and a VNA function as useful tools in laboratories, hospitals or any other medical center that needs to share these files. Their key difference can be summed up as follows: level of interconnectivity. However, there are many more elements that set them apart and that are worth evaluating. 

The way your technology environment is configured determines the need for, or choice of, one or both: PACS versus VNA. Most commonly, your systems will also include electronic health records and hospital management systems (finance, scheduling, billing, etc.), among others, which will need to access the data from every study you perform. However, precisely because of how important data security has become, it is essential to analyze in detail how these technologies guarantee data protection, protocol compliance and disaster recovery processes in the event of technical failures.

To help you identify the key points, we have listed the 13 main differences across various aspects to compare both types of platforms:

13 differences between VNA and PACS

1. A PACS allows you to store and retrieve digital images captured by radiology and imaging modalities. A VNA can display files that were not necessarily captured by a modality originally.
2. A PACS lets you archive and send images and reports digitally, eliminating the need to print film. Because a VNA has intuitive interfaces and reads non-DICOM files, it is far more flexible across a variety of file formats.
3. A PACS allows modification, measurement and other edits to image data or the patient study, helping you interpret images more comprehensively. A VNA simply connects to external hardware or viewers, meaning it focuses less on the user experience and more on how and from where it retrieves other files in a universal manner. 
4. A PACS can give you the option to digitize or burn CDs of the DICOM files it reads, whereas a VNA only opens files through standard interfaces.
5. A PACS has additional features such as integration with a RIS (Radiology Information System) or an EMR (electronic medical record), giving you more robust and complete hospital processes and management, whereas a VNA is limited to displaying and storing images or non-DICOM files, without additional functionality.
6. A PACS has functionality that lets you perform simple or advanced searches for the studies and images you need, as well as retrieve, extract and share those files (studies), whereas a VNA can display files one at a time but not necessarily with advanced search or organization capabilities. 
7. A PACS has integrated storage that automatically stores all activity and studies with complete series, unlimited in the cloud, whereas a VNA may or may not have storage that is typically vendor-independent.

8. Although a VNA usually has a login system just like a PACS, its IT security management is limited. In other words, since a PACS is a cloud-integrated development, it operates by prioritizing security and meeting high compliance standards with regulations governing data security and protection.

9. A PACS includes a variety of features to facilitate the work of radiologists specifically, and of all users with a specialized technical profile, such as dictation, transcription and voice recognition. A VNA, on the other hand, does not include any of these features.
10. A VNA tends to be a good option if you want to deliver medical care in an environment where interoperability is essential. It connects seamlessly with other devices, exchanging data between departments, including any PACS systems enabled within the organization.
11. Most PACS systems have certain limitations regarding file readability, which could hinder agile exchange and communication within your organization.
12. A VNA operates independently of the proprietary imaging system you use, so the way its storage is designed and functions is very different, since everything is centralized rather than divided into silos as is the case with a PACS.
13. A VNA can help you better manage different specialty areas within a hospital (cardiology, etc.). A PACS is limited to the field of radiology and imaging.

VNA vs. PACS: in summary

Both help you reduce operating costs and optimize and minimize turnaround times. The efficiency of these tools results in significant savings for your organization overall and brings with it a better patient experience, as well as easier, more consistent, secure and convenient hospital management.