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X-rays going digital in WaikatoWaikato District Health Board is counting down to the launch of a new digital x-ray system later this year. The new Picture Archive Communication System (PACS) will replace all film x-rays when it goes live at all Waikato DHB hospitals on 2 November. Hospital staff will view results on their computer screens. Waikato Hospital radiology manager Mike Webb said the new system would bring Waikato DHB into the 21st century with benefits for both staff and patients. “For staff, the computerised system means more efficiency with instant access to images and results. “For patients, it means greater image quality, faster report turn around time, and improved accuracy in reading x-rays and this means better results for all,” Mr Webb said. Waikato DHB is working with Bay of Plenty DHB to implement this new system on both sides of the Kaimais. Bay of Plenty went live with PACS last month at Tauranga and Whakatane hospitals and Opotiki Medical Centre. Mr Webb said working collaboratively with Bay of Plenty has benefits for both patients and clinicians. “Although we’re not the first DHB to implement this new system, we are the first to do it collaboratively. “By working together, our systems will be linked so radiology images and information will be available to clinicians across both regions. “This will result in less patients being transferred to Waikato Hospital for assessment because, as an example, a surgeon and a radiologist in two different locations will have the ability to discuss care of a patient while looking at the same results on their computers,” Mr Webb said. Before PACS goes live in November, the project team are implementing a new radiology information system to work alongside PACS and record and store all radiology patient and procedure information. Hospital staff will continue to use historic film x-rays for comparisons against new images. Going digital in the Waikato:
ENDS Contact: Ashleigh Peek |