Cooperative image workstation based on explicit models of diagnostic information requirements

Picture archiving and communication system (PACS): a progressive approach with small systems

PACS represents the natural evolution from working with digital modalities (e.g. CT, US, MRI, CR) towards a global digital environment where the film based activities are progressively replaced by their digital counterpart. The advantages of the technique and the drawbacks of the first implementations are described, as well as the recent advances in terms of technology, architecture, medical integration and cost-effectiveness. The so called 'second generation' PACS concept is presented with its features: modular architecture, progressive implementation, multi-vendor environment, integration with the Hospital Information System, standardization. This approach is particularly suited for progressive implementation in an existing hospital, in contrast to the possible top-down construction of a filmless radiology department, as a project for a totally new hospital. The implementation into the university hospital AZ-VUB is described as case study.

Default display arrangements of images on PACS monitors

Our hospital is currently installing one of the largest non-military hospital-wide picture archiving and communications systems (PACS) in the world [1, 2]. We are designing default modes for the display of images on PACS workstation monitors so that these can be implemented in future software releases. In this article we present the considerations and reasoning influencing our decisions upon how best to arrange and present the images from the various radiological modalities for ease of soft copy reporting.