DHB launches new imaging system

7 August 2009

DHB launches new imaging system

A new digital x-ray system to be launched on Monday at Tauranga and Whakatane hospitals and Opotiki Health Centre will cut down the number of patients needing transfer to Waikato Hospital for assessment.

X-ray film will no longer be produced. Instead, the new Picture Archive Communication System (PACS) stores images in a digital format so doctors and radiology staff can view them directly on their computer screens.

Bay of Plenty DHB has implemented PACS jointly with Waikato DHB.

“As the two DHBs work closely together it made sense to implement PACS jointly,” says DHB Regional Radiology Manager Jill Wright.

“It’s good news for patients as it means doctors can look at the same image at the same time to discuss a patient’s treatment while they are in different locations. For example, a surgeon and a radiologist can discuss a case from different hospitals if needed. In some cases this will mean patients may not need to be transferred to Waikato for assessment, or need further x-rays. It will also give doctors in rural hospitals a lot more support from colleagues.”

She says PACS will revolutionise imaging departments across the DHB.

“The PACS system gets the images to doctors much faster after a person’s examination than was possible with x-ray film. Images can be magnified, rotated and enhanced in different ways to get better views, which means it’s much easier to see if there is an issue that needs to be dealt with.”

Many DHBs already use PACS. BOP and Waikato DHBs are the first DHBs in the country to implement PACS as a joint regional project.

Earlier this month, BOP DHB launched a new radiology information system, which works alongside PACS to record and store all radiology patient and procedure information.

Historic radiographic images and results in digital format, such as CT, ultrasound and MRI scans, currently stored by Bay of Plenty DHB, will be transferred to the new PACS system. Historic film x-rays will continue to be used for comparisons against new images.

People can talk with radiology department staff if there are occasions when they do not want their radiographic examinations and results available to other health providers.

ENDS

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