Methodology for the design of a PACS in a small provincial hospital

This paper describes the design and implantation issues for a Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS) in a 60-bed provincial hospital. Considerations such as the state of the imaging equipment, preventive maintenance, use and misuse of the equipment and the difficulties regarding migration to an all-digital imaging unit are discussed, as well as the criteria for the selection of the imaging modalities. Finally a design is proposed with four imaging modalities that use open-source database and display workstations. The system is currently under evaluation for possible reproduction in as many as 60 small clinics and hospitals throughout the country.