Interfacing the PACS and the HIS: Results of a 5-year implementation

An interface was created between the Department of Defense's hospital infor mation system (HIS) and its two picture archiving and communication system (PACS)-based radiology information systems (RISs). The HIS is called the Co mposite Healthcare Computer System (CHCS), and the RISs are called the Medi cal Diagnostic Imaging System (MDIS) and the Digital Imaging Network (DIN)- PACS. Extensive mapping between dissimilar, data protocols was required to translate data from the HIS into both RISs. The CHCS uses a Health Level 7 (HL7) protocol, whereas the MDIS uses the American College of Radiology-Nat ional Electrical Manufacturers Association 2.0 protocol and the DIN-PACS us es the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) 3.0 protocol. An interface engine was required to change some data formats, as well as t o address some nonstandard HL7 data being output from the CHCS. In addition ,, there are differences in terminology between fields and segments in all three protocols. This interface is in use at 20 military facilities through out the world. The interface reduces the amount of manual entry into more t han one automated system to the smallest level possible. Data mapping durin g installation saved time, improved productivity, and increased user accept ance during PACS implementation., It also resulted in more standardized dat abase entries in both the HIS (CHCS) and the RIS (PACS).