Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital's implementation of the advanced PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) has brought revolutionary changes to medical processes, fully digitalizing X-ray, CT, MRI, and ultrasound examination results. This paperless system supports high-resolution medical image viewing and sharing, completely changing the traditional way of flipping through heavy films. Medical staff only need to access a computer workstation to quickly retrieve patients' complete image data, improving diagnostic efficiency and quality.
The system adopts cutting-edge image compression technology, not only ensuring excellent image quality but also optimizing transmission speed, allowing medical teams to view high-definition images in real-time. Built-in professional image processing tools support functions such as zooming, contrast adjustment, and annotation, helping doctors achieve the best observation effect and improving diagnostic accuracy. PACS integrates the complete process of image acquisition, processing, reporting, and archiving, creating a seamless and efficient working environment.
Notably, patients can safely access their own image data, facilitating second opinions or cross-hospital referrals, truly realizing patient-centered service models. The system also supports remote consultations for doctors inside and outside the hospital, allowing specialist physicians to assist with image interpretation remotely, greatly improving the effective use of medical resources. Once radiology reports are issued, relevant medical teams can immediately access the results, accelerating the diagnostic decision-making process.
To ensure patient safety and quality healthcare, our hospital has integrated strict data security and access control mechanisms to fully protect patient privacy. At the same time, we have established a comprehensive "Abnormal Value Notification Management Procedure", categorizing abnormal values into three levels - critical values, dangerous values, and general abnormal values - based on risk levels, and designing corresponding notification methods and handling time limits.
Critical values are immediately notified to the attending physician, ordering physician, and on-duty physician via phone, SMS, and email, requiring handling within 2 hours; dangerous values are notified within 24 hours; general abnormal values are notified within 7 working days. The system automatically tracks cases not handled within the specified time limit and reviews them in medical quality meetings. For outpatients who cannot be contacted, the system automatically marks "Please notify the patient to return for follow-up"; for inpatients, the nursing station of the respective ward is notified. When physicians acknowledge abnormal values, the system intelligently suggests appropriate follow-up actions based on the patient's condition.
The perfect combination of our hospital's PACS system and abnormal value notification mechanism demonstrates our high regard for imaging medicine and patient safety, not only optimizing medical processes but also significantly improving diagnostic efficiency and safety, reflecting our unremitting pursuit of excellent medical quality.