On-Demand: Introduction To PACS

The course covers the key hardware components and functionality of Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS). It explores different PACS architectures, such as web-based viewing and multiple tier archives and discusses the role of specialty workstations and modalities. The course also teaches how to differentiate between PACS architectures from different vendors and understand their similarities and differences. Additionally, the course covers the potential impact of PACS implementation on productivity and the production data rate of a PACS system. It also discusses PACS image displays, printing capabilities, and features, as well as major vendors in the PACS market and their architectures.

It covers the definition and major features of PACS, as well as the key hardware components involved, including network components, servers, workstations, and printers. The course explores different PACS architectures, such as web-based viewing and multiple tier archives and discusses the role of specialty workstations and modalities. It also delves into the similarities and differences between PACS architectures from different vendors. By the end of the course, students will have a solid understanding of PACS systems, their functionality, and their impact on productivity.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Identify key hardware components of PACS architecture, including network components, servers, diagnostic workstations, and printers.
• List the key functionality of the various PACS components.
• Differentiate between common PACS architectures such as web-based viewing, integrated web servers, multiple tier archives, the role of specialty workstations, and modalities.
• Distinguish PACS architectures from different vendors, identifying their similarities and differences.
• Determine the potential impact of PACS implementation on productivity and approximate the production data rate of a PACS system.

Format/Class Structure

This is a self-paced course, accessible completely online. You can expect to spend about 1 hour completing this course.

Who Should Take This Course

This course is suitable for anyone who wants to gain a solid foundation in PACS and its components, functionality, and implementation considerations. This includes healthcare and IT professionals, healthcare administrators, medical students and residents, and biomedical engineers.

Content Outline

Module 1: Introduction to PACS

• Definition and major features of PACS
• Benefits of implementing a PACS system
• Overview of the major building blocks of PACS

Module 2: PACS Core

• Components of the PACS core or "backbone"
• Input queues, image manager, archive, and workflow manager
• Archive throughput and capacity requirements
• Archive implementations and protocols
• High availability, business continuity, and disaster recovery considerations
• ASP/SSP advantages
• Data migration strategy and procedures

Module 3: Display/Print

• Workflow manager and its role in PACS
• Different types of workstations and their functions
• Common functions on a viewing station
• Annotations and key images in a proprietary manner
• Web viewing and its implications
• Printing in a PACS environment

Module 4: Commercial Vendors

• Major vendors in the PACS market
• Differentiating architectures and features offered by vendors
• Trends in the PACS market

CE Credit

The Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine has approved this activity for 5.0 hours of SIIM IIP Credits towards certification and re-certification by the American Board of Imaging Informatics (ABII).

To receive credit for the activity, registrants must complete the course modules and survey.

Note: In order to receive credits for any events/learning you attend you must select your eligible credit types found in the CE & Certification section of your MySIIM Account profile.

After registering for the course, navigate to My Learning in your MySIIM Account profile to access the content.

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