Picture Archiving Computer Systems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Picture Archiving Computer Systems - Essay good exampleThe PACS system has at the base the modalities, which argon the imaging equipment. A Radiologic Information System look ats the data and processes requests for information, billing, and computer programming of appointments. High-resolution monitors are located at workstations to view the images, or the data is transmitted to mobile devices all over wireless transmission.PACS has many advantages over the traditional method of film reproduction, viewing, and storage. Digital archiving takes far less animal(prenominal) space and pile be located offsite. The digital images tush be transmitted to any welkin with the restrictions of geography and time. In addition, PACS allows multiple specialists to consult on a problem or offer a second opinion. The specialists can be available around the clock at any remote location. The bell savings can be significant. Staff can be restructured to reduce redundant tasks and capital equipme nt can be more fully utilized.While PACS has considerable advantages over the traditional film storage, it is also given up to problems. There can be hidden costs in the conversion of existing data. Infrastructure, such as transmission lines, needs to be upgraded to handle the increased data flow. The move towards an enterprise PACS solution can be daunting when making compromises of standardization against the best available technology on a departmental basis. In addition, staff volition need to be retrained and skills upgraded to work in the PACS computerized environment. The c erstwhilerns of data storage are considerable. As more examinations are performed and more departments begin to utilize PACS, the capabilities of the hospital or medical center field whitethorn be overwhelmed. Outside application service providers will need to be hired to manage the storage, retrieval, and transmission of the data. In implementing PACS, it becomes necessary to make the data available to many individuals that may or may not require it. HIPAA has mandated requirements for the storage and transmission of this data. In addition, personal privacy of medical records has become forever more important. Security will be one of the paramount issues concerning the implementation of PACS. PACS is here to stay and will continue to grow and evolve. Hospital and PACS administrators will need to be multi-skilled to manage the flowering new opportunities. PACS has the fortune to be a cost effective enhancement to patient care, but runs the risk of being a high-cost failure if implemented incorrectly or without prudent planning. 1.0 IntroductionDaniel Federman, the Associate Dean of Harvard Medical School, once commented that, We in medicine love progress...but we dont like change (qtd. in Sandow and Hogben 59). Federmans comment illustrates the love-hate relationship that medicine has with the