[A PACS system in clinical reality: the Trieste project]

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Informatics

Background:

• Traditional methods for retrieving prior medical imaging studies are often time-consuming and inefficient.
• The integration of Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) offers a digital solution to these challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical utility and impact of a PACS Comm View system over a 5-year period.
• To assess the benefits of rapid image and report retrieval on patient care and physician efficiency.

Main Methods:

• A PACS Comm View system was implemented in daily clinical practice for 5 years.
• Data on image retrieval times, unretrieved image rates, and system usage were collected.
• A questionnaire was administered to referring physicians to gauge their perception of the system's impact.

Main Results:

• The PACS system demonstrated high effectiveness in retrieving prior investigations, with an unretrieved image rate below 2% and retrieval times of 10-210 seconds.
• Image retrieval occurred approximately 20 times daily per workstation, indicating increased utilization compared to conventional methods.
• Referring physicians reported significant benefits, including avoidance of repeat exams (81.3%), reduced need for medical records (80%), shortened hospitalization (100%), improved treatment decisions (100%), and enhanced efficiency (93.8%).

Conclusions:

• The PACS Comm View system significantly enhances the preparation phase of radiological investigations.
• Rapid access to diagnostic images and reports via PACS leads to substantial improvements in patient management and healthcare efficiency.
• The system's positive impact on clinical decision-making and resource utilization supports its value in modern healthcare settings.