PACS, FILMLESS RADIOLOGY AND TELERADIOLOGY -A FUTURE

PERSPECTIVE

KMA annual scientific conference at Noble hotel Eldoret April 22nd-2th 2015

OUR EXPERIENCE AT CDIC

D

r NGOSEYWE KENNEDY

R

ADIOLOGIST

C

DIC-NRB

BACKGROUND

R

adiology has traditionally been considered

inseparable from ‘films’, classically in the

form of X-ray plates but gradually also

including films incorporating images from

US, CT and MRI.

BACKGROUND

T

alk of ‘film-less radiology’ may therefore appear

anachronistic.

B

ut the future beckons a world in which the practice of

radiology may completely do away with the traditional

use of films

BACKGROUND

T

he seeds of film-less radiology were laid with the advent of

modalities such as MRI and CT, which were inherently

computer-intensive for both acquiring and presenting

clinically relevant images.

S

ince images from these newer modalities were basically in

a digital format, they could be treated in the same

manner as any other digital data.

INTRODUCTION

H

owever, the traditional habit of viewing all

images on films, require that these images be

also printed on films whether for reporting by

the Radiologist, for review by the clinician or for

long term archival.

BACKGROUND

W

ith the ever-increasing inclusion of

computer usage in the medical field and

specifically in radiology, this traditional

concept was beginning to be questioned.

BACKGROUNDT

he advent of computerized radiography (CR) and

digital radiography (DR) which can directly acquire

radiographs in the digital format, gave the final

push for the introduction of filmless radiology as

a viable proposition.

T

hus was born the concept of PACS

PACS

P

ACS is a computerized means of replacing the roles

of conventional radiological film: images are

acquired, stored, transmitted, and displayed digitally.

When such a system is installed throughout the

hospital, a filmless clinical environment results.

I

t is an integrated system of digital products

and technology that makes the

acquisition,storage,retrieval and display of

radiological images possible.

T

he PACS archive is expected to replace

radiology film libraries

WHAT IS PACS?

Components of the pacs system

The acronym PACS stands for picture

archiving and communication

system.

WHAT IS PACS?

So the 4 major components are:

1. Pictures:radiology,cardio,other modalities.

2. Archiving :deparment,specialty,enterprise.

3. Communication:LAN,WAN,VLAN’s.

4.Systems:Hardware,software,people,environm

ent

Components of the pacs system

PACS Architecture at CDIC

Referring MD

Core(Gateway)

Web servercommunication

communication

LAN

Internet

Diagnostic workstations

Radiologist

Web based reportAnd study viewer

Imaging centre or Hospital

Data Centre

Remote location(Off site users)

Local studydownload

Localusers

Diagnostic workstations

modalities

TELERADIOLOGY

T

eleradiology is the transmission of images

and associated data between locations for

the purpose of primary interpretation or

consultation and/or clinical review.

I

t allows for remote access to images by

radiologists and clinicians.

G

enerally speaking, teleradiology can be

considered as a subset of telemedicine.

TELERADIOLOGY

ADVANTAGES OF PACS: Radiologist/physician perspective

The main advantage a PACS offers is the improvement in

efficiency resulting from electronic data handling

Source of new images and priors

Image manipulation and processing tools.

Tool for cooperation, consultation and demonstration

Allow for flexibility in location.

Faster turn-around times.

ADVANTAGES OF PACS

patient perspective

Fast availability of results

Share images between patients and physicians.

Exchange media(CD’s) allow for information

exchange between providers.

Access to any specialist anywhere in the world.

PACS AT CDICT

he PACS at CDIC was developed in order to address the need for

a robust, reliable, intuitive, efficient, and seamless platform for

transmitting, unifying and integrating diagnostic imaging data.

I

t is a web based PACs and teleradiology system thus it can be

accessed from any location where there is availability of a

computer and Internet.

I

t has been operating since August 2013.

PACS AT CDIC

Goals:

Provide expert interpretation of images, not

only in major urban, but in rural and medically

underserved areas as well where radiologist are

not available.

 Promoting efficiency and quality improvement.

CHALLANGESH

igh dependence on availability of networks,IT infrastructure,hardwares.

S

oftware can have bugs

I

mage quality needs same amount of checking as in film world.

V

ast retraining effort.

U

sers need to become computer savvy

P

acs require a dedicated support staff.

CONCLUSIONP

ACS is an image and information management system.

I

t has a major impact on workflow and the way business is

conducted.

I

t requires a dedicated, well trained support staff.

C

onstant monitoring, QA and QC are critical components.

CONCLUSION

T

echnology is providing us with newer ways of

performing conventional jobs in a more

efficient manner and it is for us to decide

whether we would like to be a part of this

change that is sweeping the world of Medicine

gradually.

CONCLUSION

PACS is the future.

Thank you all