A Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) is a healthcare software service that manages medical images. In the past, X-rays, CT scans, and other medical images were made on film, much like photos and movies used to be. Modern medical imaging machines create digital images, and PACS software is used to capture, store, retrieve, and display them.
Healthcare facilities prefer digital PACS software for three main reasons.
- PACS eliminates physical film, reducing costs and storage needs.
- PACS software provides immediate access to images from any location via web-based or dedicated viewing applications.
- PACS integrates with other healthcare systems like Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) and Radiology Information Systems (RIS) to create seamless clinical workflows from exam ordering to report generation and distribution.
In this article, we take a closer look at how PACS software is used, its key features, and how PACS improves efficiency for healthcare facilities and the care experience for patients.
The Four Core Components of PACS
PACS systems are complex, integrated software tools, but four essential parts play a role in the imaging workflow from initial capture to final viewing and long-term storage.
Image Acquisition
The image acquisition system connects PACS to machines that capture medical images. As we mentioned earlier, modern imaging equipment—X-ray machines, CT scanners, MRI units, ultrasound devices, and nuclear medicine scanners—captures images in a digital format.
Once captured, the image data is sent to the PACS software using the DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) standard. An acquisition gateway receives the images and prepares them for storage and viewing. It validates data integrity, adds necessary metadata, and formats images according to system requirements.
Secure Network for Data Transmission
PACS relies on secure networks to transmit medical images from acquisition devices to storage systems and viewing stations. To comply with healthcare and information security regulations, the networks use encryption standards like AES-256 to protect patient information during transmission, whether that’s across internal networks to viewing stations or across the world over the internet.
Image Storage Systems
Storage systems are the core repository of PACS. They keep both short-term and long-term archives of medical images. Short-term storage provides immediate access to recent studies, while long-term archives preserve images for extended periods to meet clinical needs and regulatory requirements.
Modern PACS storage incorporates redundancy features like distributed cloud storage to protect against data loss. The storage component also manages image lifecycle policies, moving studies between storage tiers based on access patterns and retention requirements.
Viewing and Image Access
The viewing component delivers images to radiologists, teleradiology services, physicians, and other healthcare providers. PACS viewers range from FDA-cleared diagnostic workstations with high-resolution monitors to zero-footprint web viewers accessible from standard computers and mobile devices. The viewing software also includes tools for image manipulation (window/level adjustment, measurements, annotations) and to display patient information alongside images.
Key Features of Modern PACS Solutions
Today’s PACS solutions offer capabilities that extend far beyond basic image storage and retrieval. They include many features that enhance diagnostic accuracy, improve workflow efficiency, and integrate with broader healthcare IT ecosystems.
Cloud-based Architecture
Cloud-based PACS systems like OnePACS eliminate the need for extensive on-site hardware. Cloud infrastructure reduces capital expenses and IT maintenance burdens. It also enables greater uptime than is typically achieved by on-premises systems, automatic software updates, and seamless scalability to accommodate growing imaging volumes. Radiologists can access image data securely from anywhere with internet connectivity, supporting teleradiology services, multi-site operations, and remote work arrangements
AI Integration
Thoughtfully integrated AI capabilities help radiologists manage increasing workloads while maintaining diagnostic accuracy. Modern systems integrate with AI tools to detect potential abnormalities, prioritize urgent cases, and assist with quantitative measurements. Some platforms offer proprietary AI features like automated report generation or integrate with third-party AI solutions.
Structured Reporting
Advanced PACS solutions incorporate structured reporting tools that standardize report formats and speed up reporting. They automatically detect study types, populate templates with relevant clinical information, and organize findings into appropriate sections. OnePACS offers a minimal-effort structured reporting system with auto-selection of study type, contrast status, and report templates that continuously update in real-time.
Voice Recognition Integration
Voice recognition technology streamlines the reporting process and allows radiologists to maintain visual focus on images while reporting. Advanced voice systems learn individual speech patterns and specialty terminology to improve accuracy over time. OnePACS integrates with industry-standard voice recognition platforms, enabling radiologists to focus on interpretive work rather than administrative tasks.
PACS vs. RIS: Understanding the Difference
A Radiology Information System (RIS) manages the administrative aspects of radiology departments, including scheduling, patient registration, billing, and reporting. While PACS handles the visual data, RIS manages the operational workflow.
In practice, RIS and PACS work together in a complementary relationship. RIS creates the order and captures patient information, while PACS stores and displays the resulting images. Modern systems integrate these functions so radiologists can access both administrative data and images from a unified interface.
PACS vs. DICOM: Clarifying a Common Confusion
DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) is a standard protocol that defines how medical images are stored, transmitted, and displayed. It’s not a software system, but a universal language that medical imaging devices use to communicate.
Think of DICOM as the standardized format and communication protocol, while PACS is the system that manages the retrieval, storage, and distribution of DICOM-formatted images. Medical images in a PACS are typically stored in the DICOM format and contain both the image data and patient metadata. Standardization ensures that images from different manufacturers’ equipment can be stored, retrieved, and viewed within the same PACS environment.
Benefits of PACS Systems
PACS delivers significant advantages to everyone involved in the medical imaging process.
- For Radiologists: PACS systems streamline workflows by automating image distribution and providing immediate access to studies. Integrated reporting tools, structured templates, and voice recognition capabilities reduce documentation time. Radiologists interpret more studies with fewer interruptions and administrative tasks.
- For Healthcare Facilities: Digital imaging eliminates film processing costs, physical storage requirements, and manual filing systems. PACS reduces lost studies, improves resource utilization, and enables teleradiology services that extend coverage hours. Facilities manage higher imaging volumes without proportional staffing increases.
- For Patients: PACS accelerates diagnosis and treatment decisions through faster image availability. Patients benefit from coordinated care when images can be instantly shared among specialists at different locations.
OnePACS: The Advanced PACS Solution
OnePACS delivers a comprehensive cloud-based PACS solution developed by radiologists for radiologists. The system features OneWorklist® for streamlined workflow management, intelligent report generation, multiple FDA-cleared viewing options, and 99.9% uptime reliability.
Healthcare organizations benefit from rapid implementation, 24/7 technical support, and seamless integration with existing systems. OnePACS serves teleradiology groups, imaging centers, and academic institutions with flexible solutions that scale to meet changing needs.