Making the transition

Radiologists at Vienna General work with a mixture of hard-copy and digital images. None of the radiology department's ultrasound or dedicated thoracic imaging equipment is connected to the PACS.

Scanners are available to digitize images stored on film, to enable soft-copy side-by-side comparison of previous and current exams. Hard copies of digital images are generated using dry printers for distribution to referring physicians elsewhere in the hospital. Plans to expand the PACS network throughout the hospital are being discussed, although clinical departments are not expected to get connected for another two to three years.

Comments:

"The system is better than it was before, but everyone has greater expectations now. The number of images we are handling and the level of technology is not comparable to the situation just 12 months ago."
Dr. Mazda Memarsadeghi, resident radiologist, Vienna General Hospital