Beginning October 20, 2008, Spalding Regional Medical Center’s Radiology department will be digital thanks to the help of a new, major technology upgrade called PACS, Picture Archiving and Communication System. This new computer-based system brings greater convenience and improved care for patients undergoing imaging procedures at the facility.

All ultrasound, X-ray, Nuclear Medicine, MRI and CT procedures will now be digitally processed. Patients and physicians will no longer have to wait for hard copies of images or reports to be delivered. Physicians will receive images more quickly and be able to access their patient’s images from any computer with Internet access, such as from the hospital, the office or at home. In addition, the remote access will allow physicians who are on-call to view imaging reports without having to be at the hospital. This allows physicians to make an accurate diagnosis quicker and begin treatment on a patient sooner.

PACS also gives radiologists and other imaging professionals instant access to images. Radiologists and clinicians can immediately see if the image study is satisfactory or another image is needed before the patient leaves Radiology.

“Transitioning our Radiology Department to an all digital format will improve efficiencies for our employees and physicians, and most importantly improve quality of care for our patients,” says Chris Locke, Chief Operating Officer at Spalding Regional Medical Center. “As technology evolves and our community grows, we will continue to evaluate new opportunities to bring medical advancements to the patients we serve.”

PACS is being implemented at Spalding Regional Medical Center, Sylvan Grove Hospital in Jackson, Ga., and Spalding Regional Urgent Care at Heron Bay in Locust Grove, Ga.