Abstract
Implementation of a picture archive and communication system (PACS) at a large teaching hospital is an expensive and daunting endeavor. The approach taken at the University of Alabama Hospitals has been to assemble an institution-wide system through focused integration of smaller mini-PACS. Recently a mini-PACS using Computed Radiography (CR) has been placed in the Emergency Department (ED) of a Level I Trauma Center completely replacing conventional screen-film radiography. This area of the hospital produces approximately 250 images per day and provides many challenging requirements: the need for rapid radiography; providing good image quality for difficult examinations with potentially uncooperative patients; reproduction of lost films to maintain availability of images to multiple consulting teams; and frequently unknown patient demographics. The PACS includes both vendor-supplied and in-house developed devices for image storage, distribution, and display. Digital images are produced using two photostimulable phosphor CR systems. Currently, all radiographic examinations are acquired digitally with production of a hard copy film as well as electronic distribution via the PACS. Interpretation of images is done primarily via hard copy with a goal of transition to soft copy interpretation. This paper discusses the functional requirements of the PACS and solutions to workflow issues arising in the ED.
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References
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