{"id":20015,"date":"2026-09-17T13:19:14","date_gmt":"2026-09-17T10:19:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/atostek.com\/better-access-to-medical-images-could-save-millions-of-euros\/"},"modified":"2026-09-17T13:19:14","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T10:19:14","slug":"better-access-to-medical-images-could-save-millions-of-euros","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/atostek.com\/en-us\/better-access-to-medical-images-could-save-millions-of-euros\/","title":{"rendered":"Better access to medical images could save millions of euros"},"content":{"rendered":"
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ERA Image Viewer gives healthcare professionals access to images stored in Kanta\u2019s Imaging Data Repository. When previous studies are available during the appointment, professionals save time, continuity of care improves, and unnecessary repeat examinations can be avoided.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In my work, I regularly speak with medical imaging professionals. The same practical problem comes up time and again: previously captured images are not always available where the patient\u2019s care continues.<\/p>\n

A patient may receive care from occupational healthcare, a private medical clinic, specialised healthcare and different wellbeing services counties. Images accumulate in the systems of several organisations, but the information needed to make treatment decisions should be available when the patient is at the appointment. If the images cannot be found, they may still be transferred and carried on CDs, for example. Sometimes the professional only receives a photo of the original image taken with a phone. In the worst case, the examination has to be repeated.<\/p>\n

Healthcare providers are legally required to store medical images in Kanta. The images should therefore be readily available from Kanta without delay. We have been developing the\u00a0ERA service suite<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0for several years to improve the timely flow of information.\u00a0ERA Image Viewer<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0is the latest addition to this suite.<\/p>\n

ERA Image Viewer makes images stored in Kanta available to healthcare professionals<\/h2>\n

ERA Image Viewer allows healthcare professionals to access images stored in the national Imaging Data Repository across organisational boundaries. This gives professionals access to the right information when it is relevant and necessary for the patient\u2019s care.<\/p>\n

ERA Image Viewer can be used to view radiological and ECG studies, as well as image data from oral healthcare, optometry and pathology. The data is available once the organisation that performed the examination has stored it in Kanta\u2019s Imaging Data Repository.<\/p>\n

The images can also be used for diagnostic purposes. Easy access to comparison images across healthcare providers makes professionals\u2019 work more efficient and helps reduce unnecessary imaging examinations.<\/p>\n

As the use of the Imaging Data Repository becomes more widespread, ERA Image Viewer enables a new way of working across the care pathway. Most importantly, doctors can spend their time treating patients instead of searching for images.<\/p>\n

Even a small reduction in unnecessary repeat examinations could save millions<\/h2>\n

Not all repeat examinations can or should be avoided. A new examination may be clinically justified. The aim is to avoid examinations performed solely because earlier image data is unavailable. This also has financial significance for wellbeing services counties.<\/p>\n

According to a study conducted by Kela\u2019s Kanta Services in spring 20261<\/a><\/sup>, better access to medical images could save Finnish society an estimated \u20ac15\u201330 million annually. The estimated combined net savings for wellbeing services counties would be \u20ac5\u201310 million per year. For the largest wellbeing services counties, the potential savings could be as much as \u20ac1 million per year.<\/p>\n

These figures illustrate the potential savings at the national level. They do not represent savings generated by a single system or savings that would be realised automatically. The benefits only materialise when image data is available comprehensively and professionals can use it as part of their daily work.<\/p>\n

The scale of the potential savings can also be illustrated using examination volumes. If approximately 3.6 million radiological examinations are performed in Finland each year, excluding oral imaging, and the average cost of one examination is assumed to be \u20ac100, the calculated gross savings from avoided examinations would be:<\/p>\n