PACS :PACS Picture Archiving and Communications System Images are acquired digitally and are transferred from one system to another Physicians can view images directly from computer screens, eliminating illuminated view boxes and film.


PACS :PACS Film less departments should have hardware and procedures in place to allow archiving of image data. Have enough storage capacity to keep several patient studies for immediate retrieval. Image data should be keep for several years, which is consistent with maintaining a film library


PACS :PACS Images may be transferred from different vendors ie: ADAC vs SEIMANS yet the file layout may be different. Transferring of images is done with both cameras speaking the same “file” language. Software such as Interfile or DICOM (digital imaging and communications in medicine)


PACS :PACS Interfile is an image file format specifically for nuclear medicine. DICOM format is a widely used image that includes many types of medical images. (not only nuc med/radiology) DICOM is the common imaging file format used in PACS systems to distribute images throughout the healthcare institutes.


PACS :PACS PACS Components include: Acquisition devices: nuclear medicine, x-ray, cat scan, MRI, endoscopy etc Networks Display terminals Image servers and archives Storage devices


PACS :PACS Acquisition devices in all areas using PACS need to have digital acquisitions capabilities. DICOM integrating with healthcare system scheduling procedures Networks are increasingly getting larger needing to improve memory sizes


IHE TRANSACTIONS OVERVIEW :IHE TRANSACTIONS OVERVIEW


PACS :PACS Displays for PACS workstations: CRT’s Flat screens Color Black and white Brightness and contrast controls, all ranges of the gray scale High resolution capabilities


PACS :PACS Image manipulation is vital to a PACS system Window leveling (changing contrast) Acquire measurements Reference image selection ( allow viewer to select certain images) View images that are 3D, and cine through the images.


PACS :PACS Image viewing for PACS should allow the viewer many options: Image layout Stack images Scrolling throughout images Image navigation


PACS :PACS Clinical displays vs Diagnostic displays Clinical display terminals need only to have 1000x1000 pixel display capabilities Color , black and white Zoom capabilities, window and level Comparison with other studies, and stacking.


PACS :PACS Diagnostic display terminals needs a minimum 1000x1000 pixel display preferable 2000x2000. Ability to magnify High contrast black and white display. Indirect lighting.


PACS :PACS Image servers consists of: DICOM, retrieve, receive, send, and compress. Efficient storage and retrieval Must have a patient data base. Must have adequate storage to hold several patient files for many years.


PACS :PACS Quality control must be done to assess image quality and accuracy Routine testing of display devices, software and transmission of images. Quality control must be documented


Slide 15:Gamma Camera in Nuclear Medicine


PACS :PACS Technology advancement have increased speeds and decreased costs. Storage capabilities have increased while costs for more storage have decreased. Diagnostic image sizes have increased.


PACS :PACS WEB based image and report access Increase patient reporting and faster diagnostic times. Comparison images available immediately Allows for multiple images to be viewed simultaneously