PACS

Picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) have replaced conventional radiographic films as the digital image-viewing hub over the past two decades and now serve as the primary communication bridge between radiologists, radiologic technologists and referring providers. PACS enables all authorized clinicians to access medical images and reports quickly, easily and from virtually any location. Some health systems have integrated PACS into the electronic medical record (EMR). Others have moved to enterprise image systems to replace radiology PACS and allow all departments to now store images and reports in one location for easier health system-wide access.

Example of artificial intelligence generated measurements to quantify the size of a lung cancer nodule during a followup CT scan to see if the lesion is regressing with treatment. This type of automation can aid radiologists by doing the tedious, time consuming work. Photo by Dave Fornell

8 trends in radiology technology to watch in 2023

Here is a list of some key trends in radiology technology from our editors based on our coverage of the radiology market.

Example of AI automated detection and highlighting of critical lung findings on a chest X-ray for a possible lung cancer nodule and fibrosis. Example shown by AI vendor Lunit.

VIDEO: Radiology AI trends at RSNA 2022

Sanjay Parekh, PhD, senior market analyst with Signify Research, discusses trends in radiology AI seen on the expo floor and in sessions at RSNA 2022.

Amazon

Amazon marshals partners, providers behind major move into medical imaging

Cloud giant Amazon Web Services is expanding its 1½ -year-old HealthLake data-management service in two imaging-specific directions. In the process it’s drawing vocal buy-in from healthcare providers as well as imaging vendors.

PACS vendors under the KLAS microscope as many users consider a change

More than 30% of surveyed PACS users are looking around for a potential replacement, according to an 82-page report from KLAS. “The U.S. PACS market is poised for change," the report's authors wrote. 

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VIDEO: KLAS shares trends in enterprise imaging and AI

Monique Rasband, vice president of imaging, cardiology and oncology, KLAS Research, explains some of technology trends KLAS researchers have found in enterprise imaging system and radiology artificial intelligence (AI).

Charles E. Kahn, Jr., MD, MS, Editor of the the journal Radiology: Artificial Intelligence, and professor and vice chair of radiology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. He has been heavily involved in radiology informatics and has seen up close the evolution of radiology toward deeper integration with AI. #RSNA

VIDEO: Use cases and implementation strategies for radiology artificial intelligence

Charles Kahn, Jr., MD, editor of the the journal Radiology: Artificial Intelligence, and professor and vice chair of radiology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, explains the work involved integrating AI in radiology systems and the role of AI in augmenting patient care.
 

Monique Rasband from KLAS Research shares trends in PACS and radiology informatics.

VIDEO: 6 key trends in PACS and radiology informatics observed by KLAS

Monique Rasband, vice president of imaging, cardiology and oncology, KLAS Research, shares some of technology trends observed in radiology PACS and and imaging informatics since 2019.

Imaging vendor enters genetic medicine IT arena

The Swedish imaging IT and cybersecurity company best known as a highly rated PACS supplier has retooled its enterprise imaging platform to incorporate genomics data.

Around the web

The patient, who was being cared for in the ICU, was not accompanied or monitored by nursing staff during his exam, despite being sedated.

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.