Cutting Edge Technology in Breast Imaging: PACS

Abstract

The integration of picture archiving and communications systems (PACS) into our private practice in order to create a more efficient workflow and office environment has been a challenging and time-consuming work-in-progress affair. While transitioning to a digital environment, we began to incorporate PACS into our daily practice. Since 2005, we have been working with our PACS vendor to continue to change our PACS to suit our needs. We worked through initial connectivity and technical issues, and these problems were resolved through the combined efforts of our PACS vendor, the imaging vendors, and our dedicated homegrown IT and PACS departments. As time has progressed, over the last 4 years so has the role PACS has played in our office. We continually make innovations within our facility to create more efficient workflow and office environment, but also continue to provide excellent patient care, and our PACS continue to play a major role.