Introduction

Abstract

Picture archiving and communications system (PACS) is a filmless and computerized method of communicating and storing medical image data such as computed radiographic, digital radiographic, computed tomographic, ultrasound, fluoroscopic, magnetic resonance and other special X-ray images. A PACS consists of image and data acquisition, storage, display stations integrated with various digital networks. A PACS handling images from various medical imaging modalities is called a full PACS. Small-scale systems that handle images from a single modality (usually connected to a single acquisition device) are sometimes called mini-PACS. A hospital-wide PACS is a PACS which entirely replaces conventional x-ray film by displaying digital images on a network of workstations throughout the hospital. This kind of hospital is called a “Filmless Hospital” (Strickland, 2000). In healthcare environment, the practicing of radiology without X-ray film is called “Filmless Radiology”.