Through the Configure area - Stations section, you can define various options for the stations that are connected to IMPAX. By organizing these stations into logical groupings of station containers, you can configure many stations at once. This allows you to configure groups of stations based on their typical use and enhance the security and performance of the system.
 | Note: Stations can exist only in station containers and station containers can exist only in containers—you cannot add stations to containers, or containers to station containers. Refer to Stations, station containers, and containers: Key concepts. |
Optimizing configurations based on typical use
Certain stations that have the IMPAX Client installed will be in fixed locations, for a dedicated use. For example, a radiology reading room may contain a set of stations with specific diagnostic monitors. Other stations are more flexible. For example, clinician stations could be anywhere in the hospital, usually with a single monitor.
To make configurations faster, you can group stations by their related use into a single station container. For example, all stations used for general radiology can go into a Radiology station container. You could also have a grouping of stations for Orthopaedics or for Breast Imaging. When you configure settings for the station container, all stations under it inherit these settings, unless they have custom configurations.
As well, all stations used by clinicians throughout the enterprise could go into one station container for configuration. For example, the station container could be configured to show the List, Text, and Image areas on a single monitor, and all clinician stations would use those settings.
 | Tip: When a user logs into IMPAX for the first time, the computer name is listed in the navigation pane of the Configure area - Stations section. By default, the computer name is listed in the Internet station container, although you can change the default station container on the Application Server. Make sure that the default station container for new stations has settings that enable users to work effectively. If the default station container is the appropriate location for the station, it can stay there. Otherwise, move the station to a different station container during configuration. |
Enhancing security and performance
For PACS Administrators, keeping the network secure and performing well is a major concern. Station containers allow you to configure the system with that in mind. For example, all stations inside the hospital can be grouped into one station container and all those outside the hospital can be grouped into another. Then, stations outside the hospital can be set to access IMPAX Business Services using the https protocol, a more secure communication. For more details on how access to Business Services affects security and performance, refer to Understanding Business Services.