Assessing Available Open-Source PACS Options

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging Informatics
• Health IT Solutions
• Radiology Department Management

Background:

• Modern medical imaging generates vast amounts of data, necessitating efficient management systems.
• Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) have transformed medical imaging accessibility, cost, and workflow.
• Commercial PACS are expensive, limiting access for many healthcare institutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify a suitable open-source PACS for Donka University hospital in Guinea.
• To evaluate the functionalities, documentation, and community support of available open-source PACS.
• To provide a comparative assessment to aid in selecting the best-fit open-source PACS.

Main Methods:

• A comparative analysis of popular open-source PACS was conducted.
• Evaluation was based on four key criteria relevant to hospital requirements.
• The research focused on assessing maturity and suitability for the specific needs of Donka hospital.

Main Results:

• Orthanc, DCM4CHE, DCMTK, and Dicoogle emerged as the most mature open-source PACS.
• These systems demonstrated varying levels of functionality, documentation, and community support.
• The assessment provided a clear comparison based on predefined criteria.

Conclusions:

• Open-source PACS present a viable and affordable alternative to commercial systems.
• Orthanc, DCM4CHE, DCMTK, and Dicoogle are recommended as strong candidates for Donka University hospital.
• Careful assessment of open-source PACS against specific needs is crucial for successful implementation.