See PICTURE ARCHIVING AND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM (PACS).
(picture archiving and communication system) a technology that enables the storage and transfer of digital images for display on high-resolution monitors. Images can be viewed at multiple sites simultaneously. The system also allows the manipulation of images on screen. See digital radiography; computerized radiography; computerized tomography; digitization.
The use of digital imaging systems to replace conventional X-ray pictures and other imaging techniques. Though expensive to operate, digital imaging and storage systems o?er promising possibilities for transmission of clinical images within and between hospitals and community health-care units, providing fast access and remote working that will bene?t patients and health-care sta? alike. When security and con?dentiality are assured, images could be transferred via the Internet and teleradiology. In future, hospitals might be able to eliminate the costly physical transfer and storage of X-ray ?lms. The integration of PACS with hospital information systems in the NHS will (hopefully) facilitate the introduction of electronic radiology.... picture archiving and communications system (pacs)