Impact of multislice CT on PACS resources

Multislice CT (MSCT), which allows for shorter scan times and thinner slice sections than single-slice helical CT (SSHCT), will likely increase the demands on picture imaging and communication system (PACS) resources. Weekly averages for number of images per study (IPS) were collected from MSCT and SSHCT scanners from 1-01 to 7-01. Average cycle times (ACT) and number of studies per patient (ANSPP) were analyzed from two MSCT and SSHCT scanners for the period of 1-1-00 to 4-1-01, and 4-1-01 to 8-1-01. For SSHCT, the average IPS for 1-8-01 was 79.9 SD 4.2, and for 7-30-01, 113 SD 16.6. For MSCT scanners, the average for 1-8-01 was 142.2 SD 8.9, and for 7-30-01, 197 SD 39. The ACT prior to 4-1-01 for the SSHCT scanners was 17.9 SD 8.3, 18.3 SD 8.4. For MSCT, they were 19.6 SD 8.7, 19.2 SD 8.6. This was significant at P <0.001. After 4-1-01, the ACT for SSHCT was 18.6 SD 8.0, and 18.6 SD 7.9. For MSCT, they were 19.1 SD 8.3, and 18.8 SD 8.3. The difference was not significant. The ANSPP prior to 4-1-01 for SSHCT was 1.8 SD 0.8. For MSCT scanners, it was 1.9 SD 0.8. This was significant at P <0.0001. The ANSPP after 4-1-01 for SSHCT were 1.9 SD 0.8, 1.8 SD 0.8; for MSCT, they were 2.0 SD 0.8, 2.0 SD 0.8. This was significant at P <0.0001. Implementation of MSCT could have a significant impact on PACS resources.