INTRODUCTION
In the new digital world in which we find ourselves, the advancement of digital medical imaging is no exception. Endless opportunities abound with the vision of the all-digital radiology department. The digital transformation allows for new practice models, new clinical applications and added benefits for both patients and stakeholders that may have only been imaginable in the not so distant past.
This document will outline the key elements of the digital radiology department, the effects, benefits, disadvantages and considerations required to make an informed decision prior to implementation.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DIGITAL AND CONVENTIONAL RADIOGOLOGY
Digital radiology can be defined as any imaging acquisition process that produces …show more content…
Additional
The ease of information data retrieval enhances teaching, research and personal development.
(Schulze & Chb 2007)
DISADVANTAGES OF PACS
Having looked at the above advantages of implementing a PACS system, the question arises as why not all departments have implemented this, and why do we still have film-based departments?
Some considerations to be taken into account:
PACS is an expensive project. Pricing for hardware and technical equipment is on the decline, PACS systems only become profitable after a few years.
Changing workflow within the department can be daunting to conservative physicians and radiologists. All staff, not only radiology, but throughout the hospital, will need additional training to optimise the PACS software and use the system to its full potential.
It is important to realise that there is still no archive system that can guarantee zero fault tolerance. With PACS implementation, images are no longer tangible objects, and can still be lost or deleted. One way around this potentially detrimental problem is to have a dedicated PACS administrator on hand daily to resolve these issues (Miyasaka
In the new digital world in which we find ourselves, the advancement of digital medical imaging is no exception. Endless opportunities abound with the vision of the all-digital radiology department. The digital transformation allows for new practice models, new clinical applications and added benefits for both patients and stakeholders that may have only been imaginable in the not so distant past.
This document will outline the key elements of the digital radiology department, the effects, benefits, disadvantages and considerations required to make an informed decision prior to implementation.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DIGITAL AND CONVENTIONAL RADIOGOLOGY
Digital radiology can be defined as any imaging acquisition process that produces …show more content…
Additional
The ease of information data retrieval enhances teaching, research and personal development.
(Schulze & Chb 2007)
DISADVANTAGES OF PACS
Having looked at the above advantages of implementing a PACS system, the question arises as why not all departments have implemented this, and why do we still have film-based departments?
Some considerations to be taken into account:
PACS is an expensive project. Pricing for hardware and technical equipment is on the decline, PACS systems only become profitable after a few years.
Changing workflow within the department can be daunting to conservative physicians and radiologists. All staff, not only radiology, but throughout the hospital, will need additional training to optimise the PACS software and use the system to its full potential.
It is important to realise that there is still no archive system that can guarantee zero fault tolerance. With PACS implementation, images are no longer tangible objects, and can still be lost or deleted. One way around this potentially detrimental problem is to have a dedicated PACS administrator on hand daily to resolve these issues (Miyasaka