All of our hospitals and imaging centers are networked on a single Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS). Many studies are read in consultation with sub specialists or groups of sub specialists. The PACS network also allows “virtual” consultation for emergency room physicians or ordering physicians who would like to discuss the findings with a radiologist.
As part of our commitment to quality, the final radiology report is dictated at the time of service with voice recognition. The reports are then reviewed, signed and made immediately available on the hospital information and PACS system. Results are automatically faxed to physicians. The referring physician is called immediately with critical result values.
Images are typically released on a CD. Every CD is complete with viewer software. The study should immediately load onto your screen after it is placed in your computer CD drive. The viewer is compatible with all Windows PCs. Advantages of getting images on CD include:
- Image windowing can be adjusted
- Color images can be visualized
- Measurements can be performed
- Images can be magnified
- CDs are small, resistant to heat, and easily mailed
- Multiple old studies can be added to the disk for comparison
Copies of reports can be sent to multiple physicians if requested by the patient. Copies of reports can be mailed to your address or picked up at your convenience. To be compliant with privacy laws, we need a request for release of information to be filled out at the time of service.
Imaging results are available on MyChart after they are reviewed by the referring physician.