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Radiology Information System and Picture Archiving Communication System (RIS/PACS)

What is the project doing?

Radiology Information Systems (RIS) and Picture Archiving Communication Systems (PACS) are part of a common systems platform for each of the four DHB regions which will deliver on Phase 1 of the National Health IT Plan.

Each region has agreed on a regional RIS and PACS solution.  Each region has also agreed on a PACS archive solution for storing and sharing images long term.

Northern: Auckland DHB’s have a regional shared Agfa RIS and PACS. Northland will remain with a recent implementation of Karisma RIS and Philips PACS, but also send their images to the regional PACS archive (Agfa).

Midland: Will have a regional shared instance of Kestral RIS and Philips PACS.

Central: Will have a regional shared instance of Carestream RIS and local instances of Carestream PACS, supported by a regional Carestream PACS archive.

Southern: Will have a regional shared instance of Comrad RIS and local instances of Intelerad PACS, supported by a regional Intelerad PACS archive.

Why is it being done?

Currently all DHBs have a RIS and PACS system, however each DHB operates a different system, or version. Having a common platform for RIS and PACS and a PACS Archive will make it easier to share digital radiology images and reports as an integral part of a patient’s health record.

New Zealand has a shortage of Radiologists. A regional PACS will enable more effective use of resources across the regions. Radiologists could work across two or more DHB’s and provide peer review or after hours support where required.

Having a regional RIS and PACS will reduce the cost and effort of upgrades for the DHBs and the vendors, and create economies of scale for smaller DHBs. A regional PACS archive will provide cost-effective long term storage and also provide Disaster Recover and Back Up.   

What change will be noticed?

Radiologists will be able to work regionally from their own department, and report on images for other DHBs.

Clinicians will have simultaneous access to radiological images and reports anywhere in the region. Radiology reports and images will be readily available to clinicians through the Regional Clinical Data Repository and Clinical Workstation.

Project Phase

Scope and Design

Milestone Dates

  • Northern – Counties Manukau RIS, PACS and PACS archive in 2012
  • Midland – Tairawhiti RIS and PACS archive in 2011
  • Central – Hutt Valley, Wairarapa, Mid-central, Whanganui and Hawkes Bay PACS archive in 2011. Whanganui RIS and PACS in 2012
  •  Southern – West Coast PACS archive in 2011.

Governance

Regional IT Governance Groups

Who is Involved

Regional CIO Leads - Northern, Midland, Central, Southern regions

Contact Us:

If you have any feedback or questions please email the project team on enquiries@ithealthboard.health.nz with the name of the project and your comments. We will respond to you within 5 working days.