1. Picture Archiving and Communication System
By Gloria Martin
James Madison University
NSG 460: Nursing Informatics

2. Because everything is cuter and more interesting if there is a Baby involved

3. What is a Picture Archiving Communication System (PACS) ?
“Comprehensive networks of digital devices designed for acquisition, transmission, storage, display, and management of diagnostic studies” (Hood & Scott, 2006)
Where a “traditional analog department is transformed into a highly functional, efficient, digital environment” (Kapoor, 2010)
Basically, it is a computer system that takes digital studies and provides ways to manage, store, transfer, and retrieve the images

4. The Principle of PACS

5. History and Development of PACS
Originally developed to increase efficiency for radiologists interpreting images (Faggiono, Nero, Castellana, Caramella, &Bartolozzi, 2010)
Increased efficiency for radiologists over 40%, technicians 20-60% (Faggiono et al., 2010)
Physicians reported fewer lost images (You, Yun, & Tu, 2008)
PACS now used outside of traditional radiology
Cardiology, teleradiology, Computer assisted diagnosis, and education (Faggiono et al., 2010; General Electric Company, 2013; Mildenberber, Brüggemann, Rösner, Koch, & Ahlers, 2010)

6. Out with the old, in with the new
Below is a video clip showing radiology workflow at a community hospital before and after implementation of PACS Workflow before and after PACS

7. Benefit for Healthcare Professionals
Images available for immediate review and old images easily available for comparison
Reports linked to images for easy accessibility
Able to transmit patient images to outside facilities
Images immediately available at any workstation for quick preliminary read by clinician (ex. x-ray to check ETT or central line placement for patients in ICU)
Faster readings equals faster intervention times

9. Benefit for Healthcare Institutions
Efficiency
One radiologist group can interpret images at multiple off site locations
Increased productivity results in cost savings
Less staff time spent repeating lost images
Less time spend processing and searching for films

10. Benefit for Patients EMR’s contain comprehensive patient data
Images, not just reports
Quicker discharge times for patients who are awaiting results
Faster and more precise treatment r/t ease and study comparison
Referral visits more time efficient because consulted physician has had time to review images prior to appointment time
More accurate monitoring and treatment of conditions such as heart disease, aneurysms, or tumors

11. Conner’s Story
Below is a short news clip showcasing how PACS expedited treatment for a small child.
Conner's Story

12. Cons Systems not always fully utilized to capability
Multiple IT vendors for different departments create barriers to full integration (Faggiono, et al., 2010)
Requirements can be cost prohibitive for small institutions and clinics
`Large data storage and backup infrastructure
Ability to interface with electronic medical record systems
Workstations
Digital Imaging Communication compliant servers

13. Conclusion PACS plays a vital role to the informatics of healthcare
Provides benefits to all stakeholders
Essential component of a comprehensive EMR
Technology advances will continue to improve accuracy and efficiency for clinicians
Increases safety, satisfaction, diagnosis and treatment for patients

14. References
Hood, M. N., & Scott, H. (2006). Introduction to Picture Archive and Communication Systems. Journal of Radiology Nursing, 25(3), 69-74, doi: /j.jradnu Faggiono, L., Neri, E., Castellana, C., Carmella, D., & Bartolozzi, C. (2011). The Future of PACS in healthcare enterprises. European Journal of Radiology, 78, doi: /j.ejrad General Electric Company (2013). Centricity Radiology Mobile Access. GE Healthcare. Retrieved from IT/Medical_Imaging_Informatics_-_RIS-PACS-CVIS/ Kapoor, D. (2010). Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) A New paradigm in Healthcare. Apollo Medicine, 7(3), Retrieved from htpp:// Mildenberger, P., Brϋggermann, K., Rösner, F., Koch, K., & Ahlers, C. (2010). PACS infrastructure supporting e-learning. European Journal of Radiology 78, doi: /j.ejrad