Clinical experience with PACS at the University of Pennsylvania.
A Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) was installed in the Medical Intensive Care Unit of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. For one year, 8 week periods of FILM ONLY usage were alternated with 8 week periods of PACS OR FILM usage. The time interval between obtaining portable chest images and taking image dependent actions decreased when the PACS was used, however, about 40% of the action decisions were made without a radiologist's consultation. Only 5% of action decisions were made without consultation during the FILM ONLY periods. A new clinical study for measuring diagnostic accuracy and efficiency as well as communication patterns is described.
Kundel
H L
HL
Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104.
Seshadri
S B
SB
Arenson
R L
RL
D003199:Computer Systems; D003628:Database Management Systems; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D015143:Philadelphia; D011873:Radiology Information Systems