Digital Imaging (PACS)

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PACS is an acronym for Picture, Archiving, Communication, Systems, simply stated, PACS has enabled the distribution of radiology images within the facility and via the web.

This article will define the term PACS and provide an overview of the efficiencies that have been gained with this technology.

Radiology has long been faced with the challenge of “managing” hard copy films, PACS has provided a solution to many of these inherent inefficiencies and has greatly increased productivity by removing some of the constraints imposed by “film”. The implementation of PACS has allowed the image to be “viewed” by multiple healthcare providers simultaneously resulting in valuable time savings for the referring provider, the ability for interdisciplinary collaboration affording improved patient care and provide for ready access to the diagnostic interpretation.

Workflow enhancements within the radiology department have reduced manual interventions and processes thereby increasing technologist productivity. This increased productivity has positively affected the turnaround time. Radiologist productivity has also been enhanced with immediate access to all images once acquired from the modality. Referring providers have realized substantial time savings by having immediate access to all images, time which used to be spent at the film library; is no longer been part of their day.

Some other changes that have been realized; emergency room physicians have immediate access to all images and can consult with a radiologist via phone while viewing the image simultaneously. Surgeons have access to images within the surgical suite via clinical viewing monitors; the need to retrieve patient records from radiology has been eliminated. Utilizing web access, referring providers have the ability to review their patient’s diagnostic exam at their desks in their offices.

The implementation of PACS has provided many benefits through workflow redesign. PACS has improved patient care by improving quality and timeliness of image capture and interpretation.