APPC--a new standardised coding system for trans-organisational PACS retrieval.
OBJECTIVE
As part of a general strategy to integrate the health care enterprise, Austria plans to connect the Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) of all radiological institutions into a nationwide network. To facilitate the search for relevant correlative imaging data in the PACS of different organisations, a coding system was compiled for all radiological procedures and necessary anatomical details.


RESULTS
This code, called the Austrian PACS Procedure Code (APPC), was granted the status of a standard under HL7. Examples are provided of effective coding and filtering when searching for relevant imaging material using the APPC, as well as the planned process for future adjustments of the APPC.


CONCLUSIONS
The implementation and how the APPC will fit into the future electronic environment, which will include an electronic health act for all citizens in Austria, are discussed. A comparison to other nationwide electronic health record projects and coding systems is given. Limitations and possible use in physical storage media are contemplated.
Fruehwald
F
F
Diagnostic Imaging, Institut Frühwald/Steiner/Obermayer, 3100, St. Pölten, Austria.
Lindner
A
A
Mostbeck
G
G
Hruby
W
W
Fruehwald-Pallamar
J
J
D001317:Austria; D059019:Clinical Coding / Q000592:standards*; D004282:Documentation / Q000592:standards*; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval / Q000592:standards*; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D008498:Medical Record Linkage / Q000592:standards*; D011873:Radiology Information Systems