A New Way to View Your Patient’s Medical Records

The PACS System

There is a new medical records technology currently being used throughout the healthcare system here in the United States. This new technology is being used by doctors, other medical staff, and patients to view medical records. This new medical system is known as the picture archiving and communication system. This is also referred to as the pacs system. This technology is a medical imaging technology that allows patient records to be accessed from multiple different machine types electronically. It is also used for economical storage when it comes to the storing of patient records.

The picture archiving and communication system eliminates many needs. Such as the need for hospitals, x-ray facilities, and lab facilities to file, retrieve, or transport information by paper or film. These types of reports can be transmitted digitally by using the picture archiving and communication system. The system was initially made for filmless x-ray viewing so radiologists could send final x-ray results to two other doctors or hospitals. Now the system can include non-image data such as patient records into the fold as long as the records are transformed into PDF format.

What Does The Picture Archiving And Communication System Do

The picture archiving and communication system allows for quick delivery. It gives the individual on the delivering end efficient access to images, interpretations, or patient information. The system greatly reduces the time and barriers associated with physical deliveries of x-ray images and patient information. The types of x-ray images that the system displays are regular x-rays, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. The system has a safe and secure network. This is why it is recommended for the transferring of patient information as well. The picture archiving and communication system allows for medical facilities and doctors’ offices to save money. Money is saved because the hard copy is replaced with a digital copy or soft copy. Digital copies do not cost a lot of money for storage. The systems allow for remote access, and this means that off-site viewing and reporting can be done. 

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels

What Healthcare Departments Utilize the System

The picture archiving and communication system is so important that with the advance of technology in the medical field, the volume of digital images is continuing to grow as well. Because digital images are continuing to grow, the data analytics of those images are much more prevalent. The use of the system was initially in the radiology field, so obviously, the first medical health professionals that used the system were a radiologist or the entire radiology department. This technology is now being used in many other medical departments such as dermatology, cardiology, oncology, nuclear medicine imaging, and pathology.

How Are Images From The System Used 

The medical images generated by the picture archiving and communication system are a part of a nurse’s care plan.  The images can be used for diagnosis, treatment, and clinical analysis. Images are also used for identifying any abnormalities, which can be physical or anatomical. They are also used to monitor progress if a patient is being treated over the long term for a medical condition. The picture archiving and communication system has allowed for patients’ care in medical facilities and medical offices to be vastly improved.

This system allows access to the client’s most updated information. That includes personal information, insurance information, and any medical images. This helps prevent any mistakes in the client’s care, such as prescription errors and redundant testing. The picture archiving and communication system also improves the client’s safety and saves the client and the healthcare facility from wasting time and money.