Development and evaluation of PC-based HIS-RIS-modality-PACS coupling: the results of evaluation of initial stage with personal computer application

A PC-based HIS/RIS/Modality/PACS coupling was developed and operated where hospital-wide PACS was closely cooperated with the HIS and RIS. Three workstations with a magneto-optical disk (MOD) juke-box for each one were used as PACS servers to collect images from eight computed radiography systems and three CT scanners. An implementation of JPEG compression reduced network load and storage volume. Twenty PACS-terminals can be connected to the PACS servers and get images from them. Functions of the terminals are magnification, tone scale modification and mensuration. The physicians can also get images on HIS-terminals employing improved HIS-terminal functions. This system has many advantages: (1) inexpensive; (2) close cooperation with the HIS and RIS which makes them easy to manage and retrieve images automatically; and (3) it is an open system, which enables us to apply new technologies. As a matter of fact the introduction of a new PC and a new OS made it possible to decrease displaying response time.