Dear AuntMinnie Member,
One of the more intriguing ideas bubbling under the surface at last month's RSNA meeting was whether the term "PACS" has become obsolete and should be replaced.
The acronym PACS -- which stands for picture archiving and communication systems -- has served the radiology community well since a few pioneers developed the concept of using computers to manage digital medical images some 25 years ago.
But since then, PACS has evolved and expanded, becoming much more than just a new way to view and handle image data. PACS and RIS software have become increasingly integrated, and it's hard to imagine imaging facilities today installing a PACS network without some kind of integrated RIS component. The addition of 3D and CAD data is also taking PACS far afield from its early origins.
PACS is also expanding outside of the radiology domain and into the broader world of healthcare information technology. Digital images are becoming an essential part of the electronic medical record, leaving one to wonder whether PACS will still be "owned" by radiology when the rest of medicine considers it to be just another piece of the EMR.
So should the term "PACS" be replaced? Let us know by filling out this week's Question of the Week, which you'll find at question.auntminnie.com. That page also includes links to past questions -- some of which are still open to voting -- and if you'd like to discuss the topic with other radiology professionals just visit our Question of the Week Discussion Group. If you have any suggestions for future questions -- or ideas for an acronym to replace PACS -- send them to me at [email protected].
