The image management function of picture archiving and communication system (PACS) plays a very important role while electronically preserving medical records. However, details of these mechanisms vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, which could be a problem if system specifications or image management functions are not confirmed by a user during system installation or operation. The purpose of this research was to record the differences in PACS settings and image data management in hospitals. A questionnaire survey was conducted in 261 hospitals having the PACS system in Hokkaido prefecture, Japan. Questionnaire contents consisted of a face sheet and the following two items: 1) PACS image deletion method, 2) rules regarding the PACS receiving an image of data that was already registered. Results of the questionnaire survey showed that the image deletion method in the PACS server, and the overwriting rule in case of existent images being re-transmitted to the server were different between different hospitals. Furthermore, these variations were not dependent on the vendors or manufacturers, but on the settings of each hospital. Since the image management method of PACS is not standardized, we were considered to be needed more attention and appropriate regulation for safe management of electronic medical records as per the national guideline.
Keywords: information management; picture archiving and communication system (PACS); radiology information system (RIS); surveys and questionnaires.