Shortcomings of the PACS/RIS System

1. Increased initial net costs.
 The installation of a hospital wide PACS is expensive. Components like PACS software/hardware, not to mention the staff training costs, maintenance, electricity, additional hiring of PACS support staff, upgrade of workstation monitors to high definition etc all contribute to the increased net costs.

2. Subjected to slow retrieval of images
 Next, like all systems communicating with each other, there are times when the network is subjected to slow network speed caused by many things like a sudden surge of users logging on and accessing PACS at the same time thus clogging the shared bandwith.

3. Learning curve of integrated software
 Another potential problem of a PACS is the fear that medical staff will not have sufficient computer literacy to be able to use the new technology. If it takes longer than expected for radiographers to learn and adapt to the software and new workflow, then this will disrupt the radiographers work and performance.

4. System difficulties – corrupted servers, downtime.
 Like any system with hardware, PACS will experience technical difficulties which may disrupt the radiology department’s workflow. Difficulties like corrupted servers which can delete or make the images become unreadable or system downtime which will affect productivity will all contribute to patients waiting time.

5. Insufficient security will attract attacks – virus, cyber-attacks.
 When PACS has been installed it is vital to guard against a system invasion as a hospital cannot function without an imaging service. Improper installation of security will attract attacks like virus attacks or cyber attacks to access the confidential information of patients.