Mariners Hospital recently rolled out Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), which enables the electronic digital transmission of medical images at the hospital and physician offices.
Gone are X-ray films and file jackets. Now, the results of patient imaging tests, such as mammograms, ultrasounds, MRIs, CT scans and X-rays, along with related data including the radiologists report, annotations and analysis, are stored and viewed electronically. The technologists process the images directly to PACS where they are stored electronically. Physicians can retrieve the images and information from computer workstations located throughout the hospital, from their offices or their homes. With PACS, reports and images can be accessed whenever the physician needs them, 24 hours a day. There is no more hunting down lost film; no more film that is unavailable until morning, no waiting for film to be delivered. “From the radiologists perspective, PACS is absolutely magnificent. We now acquire, transmit, display, store and manage test images much more efficiently and cost-effectively than we did in the past,” said Mariners Hospitals Medical Director of Radiology Wayne Moccia, M.D. “The radiologist has immediate access to the various test results. And, I dont have to be in the hospital to view the images. I can be in my office or my home. PACS has moved us to a completely filmless environment. Because our tests are all digital, rather than film-based, we now have sharper images that are much better than film.” Dr. Moccia also noted that PACS should improve the timeliness of patient care and treatment, because there is no longer a wait for film to be developed and delivered. Images will be available to all members of the healthcare team much sooner than in the past, enabling them to diagnose a patient more efficiently. In addition, patients who need copies of their diagnostic images stored on PACS will now receive a CD rather than the larger, awkward-to-handle films.
