Integration of CR with Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS)
The ultimate value of Computed Radiography lies in its seamless integration with the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS). Once the reader digitizes the image, it is formatted according to the DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) standard.
This allows the image to be:
Transmitted Instantly: A radiologist can view an image in a different building or city seconds after it is scanned.
Stored Efficiently: Eliminating the need for physical film archives and the hazardous chemicals associated with traditional developing.
Compared Longitudinally: Doctors can pull up a patient’s chest X-rays from five years ago and display them side-by-side with today’s CR image on a high-resolution diagnostic monitor. This connectivity is the backbone of modern Teleradiology, enabling 24/7 diagnostic coverage even in remote areas that only have basic X-ray equipment but are equipped with a CR reader and an internet connection.