Related Experiment Videos
Picture archiving communication system does not decrease the number of radiographs needed to evaluate the trauma
G Broughton1, M Ilagan, J Jaffin
1General Surgery Service, Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas 78234-6200, USA.
The Journal of Trauma
|February 17, 1998
Summary
Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) did not reduce the number of radiographs needed for trauma patient evaluation. Trauma centers should consider this when implementing digital imaging systems.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Health Informatics
- Radiology
Background:
- Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) facilitates digital retrieval and manipulation of radiographs.
- PACS was implemented at Brooke Army Medical Center in July 1993.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of PACS implementation on the number of radiographs utilized in trauma patient evaluation.
- To compare radiograph utilization before and after PACS adoption.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of 100 trauma admissions (50 general trauma, 50 motor vehicle crash trauma) before (January 1993) and after (January 1995) PACS implementation.
- Comparison of radiograph types and total numbers per patient, with demographic and physiologic data collection.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in demographic or physiologic data between pre- and post-PACS groups.
- The PACS group for motor vehicle crash trauma had more chest and total radiographs per patient.
- Increased utilization of chest films in MVC PACS group and pelvis films in pre-PACS gunshot wound group was observed.
Conclusions:
- PACS implementation did not decrease the overall number of radiographs required for adequate trauma patient evaluation.
- Further studies may be needed to optimize PACS utilization in trauma settings.