Clinical implementation of Samsung Medical Center PACS

Samsung Medical Center (SMC) is a brand new hospital of about 1,000 patient beds which has implemented a successful picture archiving and communications system (PACS) since November 1994. The goal of SMC PACS was to implement a large-scale filmless PACS in four phases. SMC chose the turn-key based implementation method regarding the time frame. The departments of orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, neurology, emergency room and surgical intensive care unit were selected for the first phase of PACS implementation. SMC reduced the confusion and the discomfort of medical doctors during the transition period of film and PACS operation. This paper describes the process of the clinical implementation of SMC PACS; goal and scope, implementation strategy, system installation and training, and clinical operation and maintenance.