Vinh General Hospital pilots medical image archiving and communication system (PACS)

(Baonghean) - Since August 2017, Vinh City General Hospital has officially put the medical image archiving and transmission system (PACS) into operation in the field of medical imaging diagnosis and online consultation; to improve the quality of examination and treatment. This is one of the important steps, marking the hospital's innovation process towards completing the "Smart Hospital" model.

Improve the effectiveness of examination and treatment

In recent times, the application of Information Technology in the medical field has helped Vinh General Hospital improve the quality of management and actively support the examination and treatment of people according to the policy of the Ministry of Health.

PACS software is considered a breakthrough in the medical industry in diagnosing diseases, providing the ability to quickly retrieve information and store accurate images, minimizing waiting time for patients.

Vinh City General Hospital has effectively deployed PACS software in online consultation. Photo: Dinh Nguyet

The PACS software system is a system for storing, transmitting and online consultation of medical images extracted from imaging diagnostic devices such as CT scanners; MRI; X-rays... to serve the examination and treatment process. The outstanding utilities of this new software have greatly assisted in improving treatment efficiency and reducing waiting time for patients.

Patient Pham Van Hung (56 years old, Trung Do ward, Vinh city) often comes to the hospital for examination and treatment for pneumonia, saying: Before, I was often hospitalized in the Internal Medicine Department. When the doctor ordered me to have an X-ray, after the scan, I had to wait 20-30 minutes to bring the film and results back to the doctor in the department. With the process newly implemented by the hospital, it is much more modern and convenient; after the scan, I can go back to the room to see the doctor, the doctor can see the images right on the computer.

PACS software with the ability to quickly retrieve information and store images accurately, minimizing waiting time for patients. Photo: Sy Minh

Currently, at Vinh City General Hospital, the process of implementing the Pacs software system is as follows: After taking X-rays, CT scanners, MRIs..., all images are immediately transmitted to the screen of the radiologist to help the doctor read and return results quickly. At the same time, when the images are sent to the PACS system; the results are processed promptly, meeting the requirements of clinical departments; supporting doctors to make more accurate conclusions during the examination and treatment process. PACS software is also a powerful assistant in connecting and transferring information between departments and rooms, supporting quick reference of imaging results, connecting to hospital payment, looking up old patient records...

PACS software helps doctors read and return image results immediately after the patient has had an X-ray, CT scan, MRI...; quickly and accurately; improving the effectiveness of examination and treatment. Photo: Dinh Nguyet

According to Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hai - Head of the Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Vinh City General Hospital: The PACS system allows many people to access patient data and images and respond quickly and accurately anytime, anywhere. Responding to urgency, timely and accurate support during the examination and treatment process for patients. Highly effective in remote consultation, consultation, analysis through images shared at multiple locations at the same time, meeting professional needs.

In addition, all patient data related to medical images and diagnostic reports are managed, stored in a unified, synchronized and secure manner. All patient image data is saved according to the specified time and is strictly managed, so that doctors can easily look up, review and compare scans when necessary. This will greatly support doctors in the examination, diagnosis and treatment of patients with long-term follow-up at the hospital.

Converting electronic medical records applications

In order to successfully deploy the PACS system, the hospital has focused on investing in additional facilities such as PACS Gateway and DICOM server; software to monitor and manage the operation of the data server and image transmission application server; hardware and software systems connecting multiple screens. At the same time, the hospital has organized training for medical staff on DICOM image display software on multi-screen systems, anti-interference solutions; DICOM image analysis software to support fast and accurate identification of lesions and upgrade the hospital's current software to be more suitable.

PACS application is a step forward in the conversion of electronic medical records application. Photo: Sy Minh

By applying the PACS system, we aim to optimize the existing imaging equipment system in each hospital; standardize the imaging diagnostic process to ensure the most accurate results. At the same time, combining PACS with the hospital's current information technology system will create a closed system that can gradually replace the traditional paper medical record management system up to now.

The PACS application is a step forward in the conversion of electronic medical records according to the policy issued by the Ministry of Health to improve the quality of medical examination and treatment for people. With the support of IT, doctors can easily interact and process images during the analysis process, reducing the cost of using film in image diagnosis and film storage. At the same time, when operating the PACS system, it also helps reduce the number of copies of medical films when patient data is always stored readily on the computer system and easily accessed when required.

PACS uses a digital imaging system instead of the traditional film method. Vinh City General Hospital is planning to propose to the Ministry of Health and Vietnam Social Security not to print films. Applying PACS can save a lot of money compared to using conventional film as before (about 2-3 billion per year); at the same time, it reduces environmental pollution due to not using films and chemicals.

The implementation of PACS software system not only benefits hospitals in particular and the healthcare industry in general, but also practically brings the best quality of service to the people.

Dinh Nguyet