We present our experience during the first 21 months of using hospital
-wide network technology and digital archiving in connection with digi
tal radiology in the Radiology Department at the SMZO/Danube hospital
in Vienna. This means digital generation, archiving and distribution o
f radiographs as well as monitor reporting embedded in HIS and RIS. Th
e clinical use of PACS demands full integration of all subsystems and
modalities in a digital way, as was first realized at the Danube Hospi
tal. With this approach, a reduction in radiation dose, improved commu
nication and thus a reduction in the length of hospital stay and healt
h care cost are attained.