By now most people are likely familiar with the idea of computerizing medical records. The prospect of only having to supply medical information once should be very enticing. Paper records are only one aspect of medical reports, though; the other is the images that are so crucial to patient care. Fortunately, images are just as ready to jump into the digital realm, in the form of PACS (Picture Archiving and Communications System).
Think of PACS as the medical equivalent of a Photo Bucket or even an exclusive Facebook, insofar as it is a distribution system for images over a network. Before PACS, a technician might run a test and then carry a printout of the resultant image to the doctor for examination. The image will get filed and then must be pulled out for later reference. As with all filing, the process is time-consuming and susceptible to error. If the image gets lost, it may take some time to get another copy; time is the element most precious in medical care.
PACS does both the medical archiving (the process of storing all files related to one case) and the distribution digitally so that it’s accessible from any authorized machine on the network. Now if the technician runs a test, PACS will capture the image result and then store it. Immediately, the doctor in her office can pull up the image and all related files on her computer, as can any other requisite personnel on their own computers. This is a tremendous time saver and reduces the likelihood of human error in filing. Such can only make for more efficient and better care for patients.









