DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A PICTURE ARCHIVING AND COMMUNICATION-SYSTEM - THE 2ND TIME

This report describes the authors' experience in the design and implem entation of two large scale picture archiving and communication system s (PACS) during the past 10 years. The first system, which is in daily clinical operation was developed at University of California, Los Ang eles from 1983 to 1992. The second system, which continues evolving, h as been in development at University of California, San Francisco (UCS F) since 1992. The report highlights the differences between the two s ystems and points out the gradual change in the PACS design concept du ring the past 10 years from a closed architecture to an open hospital- integrated system. Both systems focus on system reliability and data i ntegrity, with 24-hour on-line service and no loss of images. The majo r difference between the two systems is that the UCSF PACS infrastruct ure design is a completely open architecture and the system implementa tion uses more advanced technologies in computer software, digital com munication, system interface, and stable industry standards. Such a PA CS can withstand future technology changes without rendering the syste m obsolete, an essential criterion in any PACS design. (C) 1996 by W.B . Saunders Company