A Study on Image Quality Management in PACS Used by Korean Hospitals

This study evaluated a method to maintain the optimal image quality in clinical practice for image quality management in a picture archiving and communication system (PACS) that uses typical technology for digital medical images. This study conducted a survey of 25 hospitals in Seoul and metropolitan areas that had installed PACS to examine the reality of image quality management. Sixteen diagnostic monitors were used as calibration tools to compare and analyze the external illuminance uniformity and grayscale standard display function (GSDF) values at each frequency. According to the survey results, most of the hospitals did not have any particular rules or standardized methods for image quality control. In a PACS, the calibration frequency was examined within the allowable limits of error for each week and month. The calibration was not affected by the difference in brightness of the environment for reading an image. The GSDF measurement values were quite different from the standard values. In conclusion, to improve the image quality of the digital system, it is important to make good use of the system and maintain the image quality. Therefore, it is critical to capitalize on the method suggested in this study and maintain the optimal image quality to guarantee a high level of observer satisfaction.