Digital X-ray technology offers quicker, safer care for our patients

Technology that allows physicians and technicians to see a patient’s X-rays on a computer screen and promises even safer, more efficient care is being implemented across SSM Health Care - St. Louis hospitals.

The technology, called Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), replaces traditional X-ray films with digital images that can be instantly accessed from any computer in a hospital or from a secure site on the Internet. Additionally, physicians whose offices are not located on a hospital campus can access X-rays and other medical images from their computers at the office or at home through a password-protected Web site. The biggest advantages for patients: less waiting and fewer chances that X-rays could be lost or mislabeled.

“By decreasing the time it takes for physicians to get critical information, this system reduces the time it takes physicians to diagnose and treat patients,” says Richard Vaughn, M.D., medical director for PACS.

PACS began to be implemented in July at SSM St. Joseph Health Center - St. Charles, SSM St. Joseph Hospital West and SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center and will be complete in November. Implementation at SSM St. Mary’s Health Center will begin in November. SSM DePaul Health Center and SSM St. Joseph Hospital of Kirkwood will begin implementation next year.

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