In the context of medical imaging networks, what term describes a system used to store, retrieve, and display images?

• A. PACS
• B. RIS
• C. DICOM
• D. HIS

Answer: (A)

At the heart of medical image management in hospitals and clinics is a system that stores, retrieves, and displays images across the network. This is PACS, the Picture Archiving and Communication System. It brings together image acquisition devices (like X-ray machines, CT, and MRI), a centralized archive, and display workstations, so radiologists and clinicians can access current and prior studies quickly and share images across departments. PACS relies on the DICOM standard to format and transmit images, ensuring devices from different vendors can communicate seamlessly. The other terms relate to different parts of healthcare IT: RIS handles radiology workflow and patient management, DICOM is the standard for image data and transfer rather than a complete system, and HIS covers broader hospital-wide information. Therefore, the system described is PACS.