PACS: Fast Access to
Medical Imaging Results
Through PACS—John C. Lincoln Health Network’s Picture Archiving Communications System—physicians on staff can view images of patients either at computer workstations in hospitals, or online through computers in their own practices. Medical images are available network-wide, including our Pinnacle Radiology facilities.
PACS enables physicians to quickly and conveniently access high-quality digital images for interpretation and diagnosis minutes after scans or X-rays are performed. Physicians can pull up previous scans on each patient, as well, for the purposes of comparison. If necessary, they can view images simultaneously with other physicians, from different locations.
Likewise, radiologists can interpret images and provide their expertise to referring physicians via a voice recognition system.
Patient Benefits of PACS
PACS benefits patients in numerous ways, too. The system speeds the time it takes to receive a diagnosis. Physician connectivity to PACS has eliminated delays in delivering films, along with the risk of damaged or lost films.
In addition to being accessible electronically, John C. Lincoln patient imaging records are available on CD. This way, patients can take their imaging record to their primary care physicians and specialists. For example, a patient who lives in Arizona only part of the year can request a "travel copy" of the imaging records on CD.