The Society for Computer Applications in Radiology wrapped up its annual meeting in Orlando with record-breaking attendance and a decision to pursue a certification program for PACS administrators.

Total attendance at the meeting was 2975, up 18% from the 2004 SCAR meeting. The number of professional attendees was up 6%, and exhibiting companies increased 5% from 2004.

Due to overwhelming demand, SCAR has taken the first steps in the effort to create its PACS administration certification program. The initiative was discussed at Orlando, where an organizational and information-gathering forum was held the first day of the meeting. Following the session, nearly 100 people volunteered to take part in crafting a certification program for PACS professionals.

The society is designing a PACS administration certification program within the digital medical imaging community that will define and acknowledge the basic skills and capabilities for PACS administration and set minimum standards and criteria for the profession.

Program design and development will be based on the National Organization for Competency Assurance and American National Standards Institute gold standards.