Core Essentials Live: PACS Architecture and Workflow – The Basics

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to picture archiving and communication systems (PACS), integral components in modern healthcare information management. Participants will delve into the fundamental concepts of PACS, exploring its diverse applications across medical specialties. The course covers PACS architecture, its core components, and the crucial interfaces that enable seamless integration with other healthcare systems. In Module 2, participants will gain a deeper understanding of PACS components, exploring data acquisition methodologies, document management strategies, and the intricacies of image import and export processes. Through a combination of theoretical insights and practical examples, learners will acquire a solid foundation in PACS, preparing them for advanced topics in subsequent modules. The course concludes with a live demonstration of PACS and a Q&A session. 

Learning Objectives

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

• Recall the essential components of PACS architecture and their functions. 
• Explain how PACS architecture interacts with hospital and departmental information systems, acquisition modalities, enterprise archive, electronic health records, and health information exchange. 
• Apply knowledge of medical vs commercial grade monitors and the use of test patterns for viewing. 
• Analyze data acquisition, document management, image import, and export. 

Format/Class Structure

This is a live, virtual course held on SIIM’s Zoom platform. Participants will engage in instructor-led, interactive learning with hands-on training using SIIM’s Virtual Hospital Program (VHP). 

Who Should Take This Course

This course introduces PACS for prospective PACS administrators, Radiologic Technologists, biomedical and service engineers, and IT personnel. It’s also suitable for individuals seeking a career in healthcare imaging and informatics, such as software developers and integration analysts. 

Content Outline

Module 1: Introduction and System Overview

• Definition and evolution of PACS 
• Applications of PACS beyond radiology, including cardiology and specialized fields 
• PACS architecture; core components and their functions 
• PACS interfaces – RIS, HIS, and EHR 

Module 2: In-depth exploration of PACS Components

• PACS components – image acquisition devices and display stations 
• Data acquisition techniques 
• Document management strategies 
• Image import and export mechanisms 
• PACS operations 

CE Credit

The Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine has approved this activity for 2.0 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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