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Picture Archiving and Communication Systems are designed for use within hospitals. They are used to scan, store and project images from instruments like endoscopes, ultrasound sonograms and X-ray machines. This imagining software is amalgamated into the hospital's information system so that images which were traditionally kept on film can be stored on a computer. Having the images stored on a computer has five main advantages over film. Firstly, images scanned onto a PACS system are quicker to retrieve because they are accessed electronically rather than through a filing system in an archive room. Secondly, PACS images are cheaper to distribute, as they can be sent by electronic means. Thirdly, as PACS images are shown on a computer monitor, they are cheaper to display. Fourthly, less money is spent storing PACS files than film and finally, they give a more accurate image than film because they do not degrade over time. In terms of the benefits to the patient, a PACS system allows multiple doctors to view the results of an X-ray, an Endoscopy or an ultrasound at the same time whether they are in different locations within the hospital or in different hospitals. This allows for more accuracy in a patient's diagnosis and can lead to quicker treatment. The most modern Picture Archiving and Communication Systems use 3D rendering to display the images and yet remain capable of being integrate within the hospital's existing information system. The integration can occur through dedicated mass-storage servers or through the web and displayed either through PCs or terminals. The system can be tailored to the needs of the hospital, and it can also be tailored to its budget. But if doubts exist as to the impact PACS can have, or if there isn't enough money to pay for one outright, payment options like rental and pay-per-study are available from some manufacturers. http://ww1.novarad.net/novapacs
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