Present Status And Perspective Of Pacs Activities In Japan

In Japan, where several basic PACS technologies originated, PACS-related system are being implemented in both large and small networks. This is because the basic PACS technology has seemed to have reached a stage of practicality. There are only few radiologists in our country who believe that the progress of each key technology of PACS is directly tied in with a "so-called" filmless age of radiology in the future. In this article, Japanese organizational activites, major network activities, special applications, MIPS Standard-87, economic and operational issues are reviewed. PACS can be operational in institutions with a flexibility and a vision where necessary compromises are alowed.