The NDMA is more than an archival system. Through the utilization of a sophisticated, distributed grid-computing database system, the NDMA enables the delivery of a higher level of patient care and breast data management at UPHS. Immediate access to a patient's breast history, regardless of its origination, has long been just a dream. The NDMA makes this dream a reality by providing physicians with a powerful tool for discovering potential problems and making diagnoses more quickly, accurately and efficiently. Emily Conant, M.D., Chief, Breast Imaging, Department of Radiology, Associate Professor of Radiology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania recognizes the utility of the NDMA goes well-beyond cost-savings and increased efficiencies for the practice. "The structure of the NDMA alleviates the challenges faced in tracking down historical studies for comparison. Whether the patient's last mammogram was performed right here at Penn or whether it was done across the country, the NDMA provides us with the ability to have immediate access to those studies." Conant adds, "We know in our hearts that digital imaging is the way to go. Digital mammography, coupled with the NDMA, is improving the quality of healthcare delivery to our patients at UPHS." Mitchell D. Schnall, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Chair of Radiology, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center envisions the NDMA as a teaching tool for future radiologists. "We will leverage the NDMA to be able to teach young radiologists how to best interpret a mammogram and this database can provide optimal teaching material to every teaching program in the country." The NDMA is available through a per/case ASP solution, as well as through the Extended Local Archive Option ["ELAO"] system created for those facilities who want all the benefits and features offered by traditional NDMA services, but simultaneously maintain on-site storage.