The effect of a picture archiving and communications system (PACS) on diagnostic performance in the accident and emergency department

OBJECTIVE: A study has been conducted to identify the benefits to the accident and emergency (A&E) department of a hospital wide Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS). METHODS: The study was conducted in two parts: firstly while the hospital was using conventional radiographic films, and secondly when the PACS was in operation. For each part of the study, the diagnoses of radiographic images made by A&E clinicians were compared with those made by radiologists. This resulted in the estimation of the incidence of false negative findings by the A&E staff. The management of patients with such findings was studied to identify those for whom a change of treatment was required. Such data for the two periods, when film and when PACS was used, were compared. RESULTS: It was found that the overall rate of misdiagnoses across all A&E patients who had radiography was low in both periods and there was a significant reduction when PACS was used (1.5% for film and 0.7% for PACS, 95% CI for difference between proportions: -0.014 to -0.0034), but the rate of serious misdiagnoses involving patient recall did not change significantly (95% CI for difference between proportions: -0.0059 to +0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: When PACS was used the diagnostic performance by A&E staff improved by reducing false negative interpretations but the rate of serious misdiagnosis did not change.