The Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) is installed at all sites using Agfa Impax 6. This stores all imaging digitally and can be accessed for immediate review from any PC in the Trust.
We use HSS CRIS as the Radiology Information System which allows us to receive electronic referrals, vet all referrals, book appointments and produce imaging reports.
PACS Access, Training & Advice
PACS access can be applied for via the Heartsol application form on the Trust intranet. PACS training and advice can be arranged between 9-5 Monday to Friday. Please bleep PACS team on 2835, 8182 or 0215.
Guide to using Web PACS (Xero)
ClinApps is a site-wide application that can be used for Multi-plane reformatting of cross-sectional imaging. The application needs to be loaded locally to PCs and user accounts adjusted to use this functionality.
Please contact pacshelpdesk@heartofengland.nhs.uk if you currently use VOXAR and would like ClinApps.
PACS Faults
All PACS faults should be logged via the IT helpdesk on 41130 or via the Trust intranet under ‘ICT helpdesk customer support’.
Image Exchange Portal (IEP)
During core hours we can transfer images between our PACS system and the majority of other Trusts’ PACS systems within the UK using the Image Exchange Portal (IEP).
View a list of Trusts connected to IEP
External requests for images should be made through IEP and your local PACS team will be able to give you more details on how to do this. You can contact our PACS team by emailing: heft.pacs@nhs.net. For security reasons all mailings containing patient demographics to this email account MUST be from another NHS mail account.
For non-urgent internal requests for images transfers to other hospitals please complete this form and email it to pacshelpdesk@heartofengland.nhs.uk
For urgent transfers bleep the PACS team on 2835, 8182 or 0215 or call 45254, 49136 or 41280
Transfers outside of normal working hours can be completed by the on-call radiographer. Out of hours transfers into this trust should be made directly to the source hospital and will be received directly into PACS. To view these imported images use PACS (via the desktop icon) and search by patient name.
As we do not have the capacity or the legal right to store images imported from other sites into the UHB(HGS) PACS archive at Heartlands, Good Hope, Solihull Hospitals, Community Services and Birmingham Chest Clinic we will automatically delete all images after 3 months.
All images imported are stored at the site of origin. If they have been deleted from UHB (HGS) PACS they can be re-requested at a later date on request.
Regional Image Sharing Portal (RISP)
The RISP is for radiology image sharing between the 17 West Midlands Trusts. The patient’s regional imaging history, reports and any images are available through the portal. RISP is a viewer only and the images will not reside on the PACS system. The advantages of this system are that as you are only viewing images and it is therefore much faster than downloading images PACS.
The system works on the basis of a proven relationship of care for a patient by UHB (HGS).
How does this work?
- If your patient has had recent imaging at Heartlands, Good Hope or Solihull you are able to search for the regional imaging history and reports on the system without the need to go via the PACS teams. Alternatively,
- If you are being asked for advice from a clinician at another Trust, this Trust sending organisation can ‘Refer’ the images of a patient to HGS to view on RISP
The images and reports only stay on the RISP for 30 days, after which they drop off automatically. If you definitely require the images on PACS you can ask the PACS team to download specific studies from RISP to PACS.
How do I access RISP?
Clinicians already have an account set up for RISP access and you log in with your Trust network login and password.
You will be prompted to complete the e-learning before you can access RISP. The last stage of the e-learning validates your user account and allows you to access the system.
If you have a problem logging or RISP is not working contact our ICT team.
Currently RISP is live between UHB/QE, UHB(HGS), The Women’s Hospital, Sandwell and West Birmingham, Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Dudley and UHNM. The remaining Trusts within the West Midlands will be on the system by the Summer 2018.
Further information about RISP may be found here.
