PACS, DICOM and all that - imaging terminology basics
One of the things that the NHS is famous for is the never ending stream of acronyms that are used by staff both clinical and administrative. Unfortunately, with the advent of digital imaging, the trend continues with a host of acronyms and new terminology becoming commonplace. Sometimes, it can be embarrassing to ask what they all mean, so we have made it easy with a complete beginners guide to imaging terms.
Bandwidth |
A measure of the amount of data that can be transmitted in a fixed amount of time (usually 1 second). Also known as the transfer rate. Typically expressed as kilobits (1000) per second (Kbps) or megabits (1 million) per second (Mbps). This will affect how quickly large files can be "sent" from one location to another. Bigger is better. |
Browser |
A program that allows you to access the images stored in the PACS. If using a web based PACS, this may be a web browser. |
DICOM |
Digital Imaging and COmmunications in Medicine. The DICOM standard is essentially a set of rules which allows the exchange of medical images. Images created with one DICOM compatible machine can be exchanged / viewed at a different site with different equipment as long as it is also DICOM compliant. |
EHR |
Electronic Health Record. A longitudinal record of a persons health and healthcare from cradle to grave. Can contain information from many separate Electronic Patient Records from different care providers. Integration with PACS will increase functionality (but is a long way off). |
EPR |
Electronic Patient Record. A record of a patients demographic information and the care received. Typically each institution has a separate EPR for each patient. Can be linked together to form an EHR. |
HIS |
Hospital Information Systems - A system that stores demographic information about patients, as well as information about previous attendances, appointments and sometimes pathology reports. |
Modality |
Term used to describe any imaging device including MRI, CT, X Ray, Ultrasound etc. Images produced can be "fed" into the PACS. |
PACS |
Picture Archiving and Communication Systems - a digital imaging system that allows the acquisition of digital images from various modalities (Systems). These can then be stored (Archiving), transmitted and retrieved (Communication), and viewed on a display (Picture). |
RIS |
Radiology Information System - systems designed to store, manipulate, and retrieve information and activities associated with the provision and utilisation of radiology services and facilities. Includes appointments / bookings for scans and X Rays. Usually computer assisted. Can be integrated with PACS. |
Workstation |
A computer terminal where the PACS is accessed. There are many types, depending on the usage, and the specification of computers / displays will vary accordingly. Reporting stations are used by radiologist to view, diagnose and report on images. A fast computer and a very high resolution display is needed. Clinical / Review workstations are used for day to day access to PACS images on the wards and in clinics. A lower spec computer and display will usually be used. |
This is just a very basic introduction to digital imaging terminology. To explore this further, you can browse the PACSNET glossary of PACS terminology here [external link, opens in a new window]
To return to the basics page, click here