Enterprise Medical Imaging: Design and Implementation of a Picture Archiving and Communication System for Effective Radiological Workflows

The goal of this study was to investigate the feasibility of designing and implementing a user-friendly and interoperable Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) that will be used for efficient and effective storage of medical images that are produced in public health facilities in Zambia. The introduction of a PACS platform is imperative as it could help curb the risks associated with storing medical images physically, some of the risks include loss of patient data, longer periods of retrieval of information in physical storage sites, theft, and unforeseen natural or man made disasters to mention but a few. Over the years,most hospitals and clinics have been using manual systems which are a slow, unreliable, costly, resource consuming and unsecured process of keeping and tracking medical images. Digital images are stored on optic discs and external harddrives; cassette films are stored in envelopes. Hence, one has to tirelessly search through to find specific details needed at a particular time. In an attempt to solve these problems, this study presents a PACS platform for the efficient and effective storage, management and access of digital medical image data which will be utilised by radiographers to send and store scanned images to radiologists who will use the said images to determine the state of the patient and refer them to a physician, when needed the information will be retrieved and distributed fast and easy between medical personnel. The system will act as storage storage and save on time of movements among other problems. The research carried out was both quantitative and qualitative. The study was carried out at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) and the University of Zambia, in Lusaka and it was composed of radiologists, radiographers and IT personnel. Interviews were employed to collect data required to implement an interoperable Picture Archiving System.