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Large picture archiving and communication systems of the world--Part 2
R A Bauman1, G Gell, S J Dwyer
1Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA.
Journal of Digital Imaging
|November 1, 1996
Summary
Large Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) are rapidly expanding globally, with clinical use nearly doubling in 15 months. Filmless radiology is emerging as a reality due to these advancements.
Area of Science:
- Medical Informatics
- Radiology Technology
Background:
- The adoption of Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) in clinical settings was rapidly evolving in the mid-1990s.
- A previous survey identified initial trends in large PACS implementation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize large Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) in clinical operation worldwide as of 1995.
- To assess the growth and operational status of large PACS installations.
Main Methods:
- A global survey of 82 institutions was conducted in 1995.
- Data collection focused on operational status, system components, network infrastructure, and archiving strategies of large PACS.
Main Results:
- The number of clinical large PACS nearly doubled from 13 to 23 in 15 months, with new systems in Asia, Europe, and North America.
- A significant shift towards filmless radiology and primary interpretation from soft copy was observed.
- Workstations were increasingly located outside radiology departments, and various network technologies were in use.
Conclusions:
- Large PACS installations were experiencing rapid growth and widespread adoption globally.
- Filmless radiology and soft-copy interpretation were becoming established practices.
- PACS implementation involved diverse network solutions and evolving workstation deployment strategies.