A need for speed.

A Need For Speed: A new communications system that could provide a little more room at Paradise Valley Hospital is now in place.

The National City hospital announced this month that it has adopted a Web-based picture archiving and communications system designed to eliminate the need for traditional X-ray film and speed up work flow.

Cost of the system and its potential long-term savings for Paradise Valley have not been disclosed. But Prime Healthcare Services Inc., the Victorville-based company that owns eight Southern California acute care hospitals, including Paradise, has been upfront about plans to pour a great deal of funds into the aging facility--$5 million on infrastructure alone.

"Prime Healthcare Services is investing millions of dollars in Paradise Valley Hospital to improve operational efficiencies," said Dr. Prem Reddy, chairman of the board at Prime Healthcare.

Because the system allows radiologists to read diagnostic images digitally instead of using traditional film viewers, the images will be "instantaneously available throughout Paradise Valley Hospital and its satellite extensions," according to Prime Healthcare, which bought the 301-bed hospital this year for $30 million.

Before the for-profit Prime Healthcare purchased Paradise, built in 1904, the hospital was run by not-for-profit Adventist Health.

Send health care news to Jessica Long at [e-mail].