Data Migration for Enterprise Imaging

DataFirst is the industry leader in data migration services, powering the seamless transition of critical healthcare data for PACS, RIS, VNA, EMR, and EHR systems. With over 50% of U.S. hospitals relying on our expertise, we connect providers with imaging data right at the point of care, ensuring that patient information is accessible when it’s needed most.

U.S. Based Team

Studies Managed

Health Systems Integrated

Ready to Start Your Migration?

Schedule Demo

Why Choose DataFirst for Data Migration Services in Enterprise Imaging, PACS and DICOM Migrations?

At DataFirst, we specialize in delivering robust, secure, and efficient data migration solutions tailored for the healthcare enterprise. Our services ensure that your organization’s critical imaging data transitions seamlessly across platforms, enabling uninterrupted operations and compliance with industry standards.

Trust DataFirst for seamless, secure, and efficient data migration in enterprise imaging. Our experience is unmatched, with over 25 years of expertise in healthcare data migration and over 2 billion medical imaging studies migrated across 100+ health systems. Whether replacing your PACS, archiving, or safely moving images from legacy systems, our robust solutions ensure a streamlined process. With expertise in DICOM migration and end-to-end support, we prioritize data integrity, compliance, and security. Partner with DataFirst for worry-free transitions that keep your imaging operations running at peak performance.

DataFirst is Your Most Trusted Data Migration Partner

Unmatched Experience: 25+ years of expertise in healthcare data migration, with over 2 billion studies migrated across 100+ health systems.
Expertise in Healthcare Enterprise: With a deep understanding of healthcare IT environments, we tackle the challenges unique to the industry, providing reliable and effective solutions.
Comprehensive Services: PACS migrations, DICOM migrations, enterprise imaging migrations, and tailored solutions for acquisition and expansion scenarios.
Security and Compliance: Adherence to the highest security standards, ensuring patient data privacy and regulatory compliance.
Minimized Downtime: Migration strategies designed to prioritize operational continuity and avoid disruptions.
Data Integrity Assurance: Thorough validation processes to ensure accurate and reliable data transfers.

PACS Migration

When it’s time to replace your Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), trust DataFirst to manage the transition with precision and care. Our team of experts understands the complexities involved in PACS migration, ensuring that your imaging data, metadata, and workflows are accurately transferred to your new system. We handle everything from initial planning to post-migration validation, reducing downtime and maintaining data integrity throughout the process.

DICOM Migration

Our expertise in Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) migration ensures that every imaging study, patient record, and associated metadata is securely moved to your new system. We prioritize interoperability, ensuring that your imaging data aligns with current standards and seamlessly integrates into your upgraded environment.

Legacy Data Migration and Archiving

Safely move images and information from legacy PACS or other outdated systems to modern, scalable platforms or long-term archives. Whether you need to consolidate data for operational efficiency or comply with retention policies, we provide customized solutions that fit your organization’s needs.

Acquisition and Expansion Migration

From PACS replacement to DICOM migration and legacy system transitions, DataFirst is your trusted partner for comprehensive data migration services in enterprise imaging. Let us help you modernize your infrastructure while preserving the safety, integrity, and accessibility of your imaging data.

Industry Leadership

Recognized as a market leader in large-scale turnkey migration services and technology in enterprise imaging.

Migration Experience

Over an Exabyte of medical images and reports migrated, with 5,000+ DICOM data migrations. 25+ years of expertise in healthcare data migration, with over 2 billion studies migrated across 100+ health systems.

Team

Over 45 dedicated data migration professionals with expertise in enterprise imaging, PACS and DICOM migrations.

Our Philosophy

“If you have done one migration… you have done one migration.” There is no substitute for expertise and experience.

Hyper-Migration Services

DataFirst is well aware of the challenges of migrating data from jukebox-based configurations. Our Hyper Migration approach removes the need to rely on a legacy DICOM server and its storage jukebox altogether to perform a data migration.

Phase 1

Phase 1 begins with the installation of the DataFirst Hyper Migration Appliance (HMA). This device allows for direct media access in high volume and eliminates the jukebox from the equation BEFORE the project starts. This yields terabytes of migration from media per day.

Phase 2

Phase 2 of the project begins when the new target system is ready to receive the legacy data. DataFirst configures the HMA for communication with the new target system. Data is then sent to the target at an extremely high rate of speed.

Commonly, the throughput is limited only by the network bandwidth capabilities of the hospital infrastructure and the rate at which the target system can receive it. This process, called the automated “Data Pipeline”, is monitored, controlled, evaluated and adjusted throughout to ensure optimal performance. Phase 2 is considered complete when all legacy studies have been sent to the target DICOM server and archived for long-term preservation.

In the transfer phase the full fidelity of DataFirst’s Migration and DICOM proficiencies can be employed to convert, migrate, cleanse, reconcile or integrate data elements.

Custom Solutions and Services

Every DataFirst client is unique. We can create a customized solution to address ANY scenario you may have.

DataFirst is a custom software development firm that offers end-to-end, scalable technology solutions for the Healthcare IT market. As a participant in the creation of the DICOM standard, we strategically apply our DICOM prowess to help medical OEMs, enterprise Hospital systems, and industry vendors meet short-term, advanced technology needs while supporting future growth.

DataFirst understands that each customer has unique needs. Accordingly, solutions are scalable, allowing a tailored fit to the environment or application. Designing customizable products and services allows delivery to a small community hospital yet rapid scalability to service a large integrated delivery network (IDN). By leveraging our client-centered approach, we deliver results in the near term and lay the foundation for scaling into future successes.

Here at DataFirst, our team is fully integrated and includes full-time, in-house DICOM experts. We have advanced software development resources, a host of next-generation DICOM technologies, and innovative software additions that are developed each day. We have a wide range of products and services to assist with most recurring DICOM challenges found in Hospitals today.

Recent solution deployments include: Highly Advanced Migration services, HL7 Interface Design, Advanced DICOM services, Vendor Neutral Archive modules, HIS/RIS Data Cleansing and Reconciliation, Clinical Finalized PACS Report Migration, Hemodynamic Data Migration and Proprietary Database consolidation/conversions. Whether you are ready to expand through technological advancements, interested in optimizing workflow or strategically planning for the future, DataFirst is prepared to assist.

Turn-Key Data Migration

Every DataFirst migration project is a complete, Turn-Key solution that includes pre-project analysis and high-speed PACS/archive file discovery, cutting-edge database/DICOM header cleansing algorithms and reconciliation, local and online real-time customized project status reporting, flexible duty cycle and scheduling, infinitely scalable and optimized multi-threaded transfers, meticulous validation and logging and a host of innovative and dynamic migration options.

Each project is managed by a large Professional Services Team consisting of full-time, in-house Migration Engineers, Project Managers, Migration Monitoring personnel, and Solution Consultants that accommodate all facets of the project from commencement to closeout. This ensures hospital and/or OEM participation is purely optional, not required, for migration success.

Due to database issues, media failure issues, data loss due to Source system failures, etc. it is normal to have a small amount of data that is not available. The industry average for failure is approximately 1-3%, depending on the Source system and the integrity of its associated archive. DataFirst processes do not allow for ANY files to be left behind as each study is tracked and logged. Inevitably, decisions are made to “Deal” with any studies that present a challenge for the facility. In all projects, EVERY study is reviewed, documented and assigned an action item. A “tool kit” methodology (a widely accepted approach implemented by most of our competitors) will NEVER achieve the equivalent level of project success that DataFirst delivers.

Non-DICOM to DICOM Conversion

Diagnostic Image data objects fall into two distinct classes: DICOM and non-DICOM data objects. Most diagnostic imaging modalities and departmental PACS are DICOM-conformant, at least within the Radiology and Cardiology domains. This means that the interfaces between Image Sources, PACS, and Archives are well established, and the protocols for query/retrieval (data exchange) are straightforward.

Today, the two most prevalent methodologies utilized by OEM Vendors for dealing with non-DICOM data objects are:

1. Convert the object to a DICOM object
2. Preserve the object in its native format

Determining the best option depends on a number of items. DataFirst can help you determine what approach is ideal for your environment.

DICOM Conversion Options

Converting an unstructured (non-DICOM) data object to a structured data object can be accomplished by adding the structured aspects of DICOM to the non-DICOM data object.

DICOM Wrapping

Wrapping creates a DICOM Header containing the expected metadata elements required in a standard DICOM Header and places it in front of the object’s pixel data, effectively creating a new file. Wrapping effectively converts the original data object to a DICOM SOP Class that most closely approximates the original object.

DICOM Encapsulation

Similar to Wrapping, a standardized DICOM header is created, the pixel data is converted to a format that is normalized for DICOM (normally a DICOM Secondary Capture object), but then the complete original data object itself is encapsulated in a set of DICOM tags.

Wrapping vs. Encapsulation

The DICOM Wrapping process is similar to DICOM Encapsulation in that a DICOM header is built using the metadata components of a Standard Information Model provided by an Order or a Schedule or a manual submission of such data by a technologist or lab technician. Wrapping differs from Encapsulating in that the original data object is converted to a valid DICOM object type and its original header is discarded, making it nearly impossible to return the object to its native format.

In the transfer phase the full fidelity of DataFirst’s Migration and DICOM proficiencies can be employed to convert, migrate, cleanse, reconcile or integrate data elements.

Data Cleansing

DICOM Tag management or “Data Cleansing” is required when the quality of historical data is not sufficient to ingest into the new imaging platform. This may be because new workflow tools increase the benefits of well-organized data, or that several legacy systems are being combined in the new PACS system and patient folders/data need to be merged.

The DataFirst migration service includes highly advanced DICOM tag management methodologies that allow for dynamic DICOM tag morphing, replacement, altering, reconciliation, or validation “on the fly” during the process. The purpose of tag management is to ensure that the image data are as compatible as possible with the new PACS system. These services are accomplished through the use of software automation after configuration by the DataFirst Professional Services Migration Team.

Purging obviously “Bad data” is relatively easy and included within the scope of a normal DataFirst migration. For example, Source systems may contain studies without valid images, test images, derived images that were discarded but never purged, etc. These cases typically have demographic attributes that are noticeably defective and easily marked for deletion.

More importantly, as the project complexities and requirements increase, DataFirst has the ability to perform in depth Patient-level and/or Study-level reconciliation. Patient-level cleanup may be required when multiple facilities are combined into a new PACS system — as when institutional mergers have resulted in the adoption of a Master Patient Index (MPI).

Such projects usually start with a “Gold Standard” master patient list from a Hospital Information System, which contains patient level attributes. For each study, the cleanup process finds the best match in the Source of Truth list, and imports the master demographic attributes into the image data.

Study-level matching is the most thorough form of data cleansing available, and results in image sets that can be linked to their respective reports. The use of a DICOM Modality Worklist typically will provide this linkage, but PACS archives being replaced today may contain many Studies acquired before DICOM Modality Worklist was implemented.

DataFirst Methodology

The DataFirst Migration Engine performs matching-based algorithms before any of the images are sent to our final destination on the target PACS System. We obtain a Study inventory from the source PACS, and an exam list supplied by hospital HIS/RIS personnel. And/or, optionally, any number of algorithms can be employed to create the desired results, regardless of whether a list is available.

The meaning of DICOM study attributes must also be understood in the context of how they are used in each local setting.

Working with the customer, we determine:

Which matching algorithms are to be utilized
How strongly to weight the matching criteria for each pair of attributes
In what order the matching rules are to be applied

Data Cleansing is an essential step in the migration process. The DataFirst approach is clean, documented and infinitely configurable to address any data morphing requirements.

Report Migration

Incomplete migration is not an option. DataFirst ensures the total integrity of the patient record is maintained throughout our migration process.

Maintaining the complete patient record is an important step within any migration process. This includes images, reports and general purpose data that support the patient. Accordingly the DataFirst Migration service allows for Turnkey extraction of reports from the source PACS and a high speed migration of those reports to the new Target PACS.

The Migration Server receives DICOM images and report files from source system. Migration Engine will convert the report files based on the Target PACS system requirements. In addition, there are a multitude of configurable options for sending converted reports, depending on the particular PACS preferences.

HL7 Integration

The future of efficiency in medical records will be built by our standards.

A typical healthcare organization uses a multitude of separately developed IT applications. The exchange of healthcare related data between these systems is required both for administrative and clinical reasons. The messaging standard of HL7 was designed to harmonize the communication between these disparate systems.

In keeping with this accepted communication standard, DataFirst has the ability to create a wide range of HL7 messages (ADT, ORU, ORM) that will prepare a new PACS or RIS system for the ingestion of new data.

This is accomplished utilizing a methodical approach to ensure accuracy and reliability

Import all of the legacy data from the source PACS system
Execute complex algorithms to cleanse the DICOM header information
Create new HL7 messages based on clean DICOM header information
Send the HL7 messages (ADT, ORU, ORM) to the respective target

Ready to Start Your Migration?

Schedule Demo

Our Total Solution – Built on Best-of-Class Systems

The DataFirst Migration Solution is built around three pillars – People, Platform, and Process – to ensure a seamless transition and flawless execution for your unique challenges. Our dedicated and experienced team will guide you through every step of the migration process through a comprehensive and thorough process.

Dedicated Specialists for Every Migration

IMPLEMENTATION TEAM

Highly skilled in server hardware deployment, operating systems installation and administration, networking, storage allocation, media handling and VM Ware solutions.

MIGRATION ENGINEERS

Dedicated and immediately available by phone for project consultation.

SOFTWARE DEVELOPER SUPPORT

Provides for software patches and customization required by the Project Team

QUALITY ASSURANCE TEAM

Each project undergoes a quality assurance review.

SOLUTIONS INTEGRATION MANAGER

Provides solution design assistance to the Project Team, and is a point of escalation for Migration Engineers.

PROJECT MANAGER

Immediately available for project discussions, change requests, open dialogue with customers.

Ready to Start Your Migration?

Schedule Demo

Ready to streamline your data migration process?

Partner with DataFirst to experience seamless, secure, and reliable data migration, ensuring your healthcare organization remains at the forefront of patient care delivery..