Basic Components of a Radiology PACS System.

There has been a lot of talk lately about Meaningful Use and the upcoming changes that will affect radiology departments in Stage 2 of the directive. Let’s take a look over the components of radiology PACS and how the most basic components are being used today.

Picture Archiving and Communication System, or PACS, is a software/hardware combo that is used to store and retrieve medical imaging. PACS came into vogue as radiology departments began embracing digital processes that weaned them off of film. Now that the medical image was in digital form, a new system for storing and retrieving the images was needed. The PACS was the answer.

There are four pieces to the puzzle where most PACS are concerned. First, they have an image system that actually does the scanning of the patient and produces a medical image. Second, the image must be uploaded through a secure network to the database. Third, there must be a workstation that will allow radiologists and physicians the ability to view the image. Finally, the image needs a secure storage space that also allows for easy access where the image and the supporting documents can be available to anyone with permission to see it.

Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine, or DICOM, is the standard by which medical images are transferred to PACS.

PACS is an expensive form of technology and is in almost every major hospital in the country. The main use of this technology is simply to replace what hard film copies once provided hospitals. When built correctly, which includes a massive amount of planning; hospitals can use their PACS to transfer images from department to department, even if miles separate them. However, it’s this sharing aspect that many PACS are having trouble executing.

A radiology PACS system today is up against many challenges, not the least of which is a Stage 2 requirement that radiologists have to make data available to patients within 24 hours of the procedure. The best PACS systems have a system server that holds all the images in a database. Whoever wants to see those images can gain access through a local area network. However, medical personnel who need access to those images are not always on the LAN. This is where a secure URL comes in handy.

Too many radiology PACS systems today are being pushed to their limits, which means healthcare providers have to come up with something that will give them an alternative. Unfortunately, the total replacement of a PACS system is not within the budget, which means alternative methods must be sought out. OffSite Image Management, Inc., has delivered a valuable solution that is producing results.

OffSite asks its prospective clients one question: Will your PACS solution survive the years to come? The truth is, many hospitals are ill prepared when it comes to storage and disaster recovery. This is something OffSite is already addressing with current clients. As a responsive partner, we at OffSite have come up with solutions that provide comprehensive PACS that offer zero client administration, automatic upgrades and total mobility. If you’re looking for an answer to Stage 2, contact us today.