Introduction to PACS

Abstract

Picture archiving and communications systems (PACS) represent the technological core of a modern, digital, radiology department. Although their core function is storage, distribution, and display of medical images, they have taken on an increasingly important role in the entire workflow of the radiology department.

Self-Assessment Questions

• 1. The primary functions of PACS include image transmission, display, and ______________?

  • a. Archiving

  • b. Manipulation

  • c. Registration

  • d. Compression

• 2. The typical radiology technologist is most likely to interact with which of the following systems throughout their workday?

  • a. PACS broker

  • b. PACS web viewer

  • c. PACS diagnostic workstation

  • d. Radiology information system

• 3. Which component of the PACS typically communicates with both the HL7 and DICOM protocols?

  • a. PACS broker

  • b. PACS database

  • c. PACS diagnostic workstation

  • d. Master patient index

• 4. The primary data protocol for transmitting medical images between modalities is

  • a. HL7

  • b. DICOM

  • c. IHE

  • d. HIPAA

• 5. Who is the most likely person to deal with managing the day-to-day operations of the PACS?

  • a. PACS system analyst

  • b. Imaging service representative

  • c. PACS administrator

  • d. PACS clinical outreach coordinator

• 6. A diagnostic workstation used by a radiologist generally offers what feature(s) over a “standard” PC used for clinical review of images:

  • a. Higher quality and higher brightness monitors

  • b. Faster network connection back to the PACS core

  • c. Presence of more advanced image manipulation tools

  • d. All of the above

• 7. Integration of clinical information systems and PACS may result in

  • a. An increase in accurate relevant clinical information available to radiologists

  • b. Faster turnaround times of results to clinicians

  • c. Richer information by the concurrent delivery of images and their associated report

  • d. All of the above

• 8. Which of the following enhancements, if added to a PACS, would enable an attending radiologist to check the work of a resident?

  • a. Programmed peer review

  • b. Integration of nighthawk “wet” readings

  • c. Over-reading

  • d. Electronic teaching files