Medical images are one of the key visual pieces of the puzzle when it comes to supporting clinical decision making and informing patient care across NSW Health.
A centralised statewide platform
Ensuring these pieces of the puzzle continue to support clinicians and patients now and into the future is now a reality with the completion of the Radiology Information Systems and Picture Archiving & Communications System (RIS-PACS) program.
The RIS-PACS program unified different imaging, archive and IT systems into one robust statewide platform, increasing clinical information sharing and improving diagnostic processes across NSW Health.
The program reflects one of the most significant digital changes to NSW Health to date, resulting in the standardisation of radiology practices across Australia’s largest public health system.
General Manager of Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) Imaging services, James Harvey said over 110,000 examinations had been managed through the system since the LHD’s go live in August 2023 for WNSW and FW.
"For the medical imaging teams, the new RIS-PACS has enabled us to increase efficiency and accountability in our workflows,” said James Harvey.
Streamlined access to medical images and reports
The RIS-PACS team also supported WNSWLHD’s mobile Computer Tomography (CT) service by integrating multiple imaging and archive systems into one centralised platform. This provided the digital storage space needed to host large volumes of CT data.
“Now that the Mobile CT Service is linked to RIS-PACS, clinicians can access scans and reports with very little delay, providing added benefits to our patients when being transferred for higher level care,” said Mr Harvey.
According to Executive Sponsor of the program and Chief Executive of South Eastern Sydney LHD, Tobi Wilson, the successful roll out of RIS-PACS is even more impressive considering it was delivered during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
”There were numerous challenges at every step of the way but through innovative support methods, including virtual remote support stations, which allowed for video call assistance, to onsite support members who helped to address stringent safety measures, the program team travelled the total distance of 450,000 kilometres – the size of Germany – to support the delivery a state-wide solution.
“Congratulations to all the staff who made the RIS-PACS program a huge success,” Tobi Wilson said.
RIS-PACS supported across NSW
Since launching in 2020, RIS-PACS has supported the migration of more than 28 million historical images across 86 Hospitals, including the integration of 1,500 pieces of speciality imaging equipment.
The program rollout wrapped up in early 2024 and has transitioned to Business As Usual (BAU), marking a significant milestone for NSW Health.
Visit the RIS-PACS solutions page to learn more.
