How Can I Implement a PACS System in My Clinic, Practice, or Medical Office?

Discover some ways you can implement a PACS system in any healthcare business to stay at the forefront of storing, communicating, and managing radiology and medical imaging studies in a simple and practical way, so that productivity always comes first.

If a healthcare center provides radiology and medical imaging services, then it is important to implement a PACS system that helps ensure their proper management. More and more healthcare centers are digitalizing their services, and PACS systems are the best option for managing all of this information appropriately.

Furthermore, patients have become aware of the advantages of digitalization, and technology has worked to reduce the associated risks, mainly when it comes to X-rays. In other words, digital radiology and medical imaging are here to stay in the healthcare field.

In this sense, a PACS system is a technological solution for the daily management needed in a healthcare center to increase productivity, achieve long-term savings, and reach more accurate diagnoses. That is why we will review below some ways to start taking advantage of PACS systems, regardless of the size of the medical practice.

Steps to Implement a PACS System

The first step to implementing a PACS system is being aware of its many advantages, since the investment made will translate into a return on investment in various aspects: from patient satisfaction to the ability to use diagnostic modalities more often. 

So, if you want to increase your productivity, have efficient backup of patients' clinical records, and avoid affecting results through deterioration or external manipulation, do not hesitate to review the essential steps to achieve this:

1. Research the available options

There are many PACS systems on the market with different price ranges and service offerings. It is best to conduct thorough research to make sure the chosen system meets service expectations, offers a reasonable price, and has reliable technical support. 

2. Ask Vendors Questions

Some questions that can be asked of the PACS vendor include what security standards are used, what the total implementation costs are (since some vendors charge separately for system updates, maintenance, and training), and what the scope of the system's tools is.

3. Request a Demonstration

A good PACS vendor will be willing to provide a product demonstration. This way, you can make sure it is the ideal system for your needs. If you work with other colleagues, make sure they also try the system and can ask the vendor the relevant questions.

4. Plan the Migration  

Whether you have never implemented a PACS system before or you have a service you want to change, an important step is data migration. Your PACS vendor should assist you through the corresponding steps so that all your information is backed up in the new system, whether it is digitized gradually or migrated all at once.

Points to Consider Before Implementing a PACS System

Once you have chosen the PACS system that best suits your needs, consider some other important factors before proceeding with implementation:

• Staff training. This is often the last step in implementing any system. However, it has been shown that one of the main problems is lack of knowledge among the technicians who operate the imaging equipment. That is why it is essential that retraining be provided from the very beginning.
  
• High-speed connection and bandwidth service. Considering the large amount of information processed in a healthcare center, it is essential that communication speed be adequate. A recommended value is 10/100 Mbps, since it allows a good number of images to be processed online within the same second. The best network is without a doubt fiber optic. At Eva PACS, we offer guidance on the best networks available by area.
  
• Communication network backup. This is another element of the technology architecture required to implement a PACS system, since it prevents the storage and exchange management of imaging studies from being affected in the event of any failure of the main network. This alternative service is crucial to ensuring quality service at all times in your healthcare center.
  
• Security system. This step is one of the most important, because failure to comply with protocol could result in legal penalties for your clinic or practice. It is therefore necessary to have encryption, a secure network, and clearly defined personnel authorized to manage all of this patient information.
  
• Database. There are many software programs that allow you to create a quality database, and this is essential for a PACS system to operate correctly. Depending on the vendor you choose, all of this information could be stored entirely in the cloud, or it may require components such as computers with web servers and storage memory suited to the volume of studies performed, servers that provide longer-term backup, and optical disk drives or magnetic tapes to keep records.
  
• Image compression and decompression system. This can be considered part of the database. It is necessary to be able to optimize the space occupied by the studies and to decompress them only when they need to be reviewed, communicated, sent, and so on.
  
• DICOM viewers and monitors. Not all DICOM viewers have the same tools, nor are they all designed to manage information efficiently. Also, consider the monitors on which technicians and physicians will view the radiology studies. 

Optimizing Resources

While it is true that the technology architecture for a PACS system may require adjustments initially, for example regarding the internet connection, for this reason it is essential to turn to experts who can help optimize the necessary resources. For instance, when it comes to the communication network, the greatest bandwidth and speed should be allocated to the imaging center, while the administrative offices can have something less powerful.

There are servers and computers with excellent processors and storage units, but a good practice is to look for ones that match the volume of work with a margin of flexibility. As for the printing system, once the migration to digitalization takes place, it will be worth evaluating whether it will still be used frequently in your healthcare center.

With Eva PACS, you will find all the support you need throughout the adaptation process so that your staff is properly trained and achieves correct management of imaging studies. This cutting-edge technology is designed to help your medical practice succeed and reach its true potential, attracting more patients and referrals.

References

• Zúñiga, J. (2009). Sistemas para archivo y comunicación de imágenes (PACS) (Systems for image archiving and communication (PACS)). Mexico, Secretaría de Salud (Ministry of Health).