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DIMENSIONS GOES LIVE WITH DIGITAL IMAGING AND PICTURE ARCHIVING & COMPUTER SYSTEM (PACS)

August 24, 2009

CHEVERLY, MARYLAND --- Dimensions Healthcare System, the largest health care provider in Prince George’s County, is pleased to announce the arrival of a new digital Picture Archiving & Computer System (PACS). The new digital system does away with X-ray film and allows physicians to rapidly view radiographic images of their patients throughout the hospital – and in the very near future, remotely from their offices/homes via the Internet.

On Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 4:30 p.m. Dimensions will host a ribbon cutting ceremony at Prince George’s Hospital Center’s Medical Imaging Department to showcase the state-of-the-art PACS from Siemens Medical System. Other new imaging equipment funded through State capital grants to be showcased at the Hospital Center will include a 64-slice CT scanner, digital X-ray, digital fluoroscopy, and digital mammography. Invitations to the ribbon cutting have been extended to all of our board members, medical executive committee members, federal, state and local officials, and other associates.

PACS refers to a computer system that is used to capture, store, distribute, and then display medical images. Electronic images and reports are transmitted digitally via PACS which eliminates the need to manually process, file, retrieve or transport film jackets. A PACS consists of four major components: (1) the imaging modalities such as CT, MRI or digital X-Rays; (2) a secure network for the transmission of patient information; (3) workstations for interpreting and reviewing images; and (4) long and short term archives for the storage and retrieval of images and reports. PACS has the ability to deliver timely and efficient access to images, interpretations and related imaging data. PACS breaks down the physical and time barriers associated with traditional film-based image retrieval, distribution and display. The new PACS at Dimensions is linked with a sophisticated Radiology Information System (RIS) that includes the latest voice recognition technology.

"The arrival of this new Siemens technology is a major step forward and has been a highly anticipated event since being identified as a priority in our strategic planning. Obtaining this technology and equipment helps put us in line with our mission statement and will allow us to continue improving patient care across the system. PACS is a greatly needed clinical tool that will give our physicians and other health care professionals more detailed information to help them care for their patients. For us, it is part of providing the quality healthcare to our community that we strive for continually. We are grateful to the County and the State for their continuing support that has allowed us to make this major advancement in patient care,” said G.T. Dunlop Ecker, President and CEO for Dimensions Healthcare System.”

"With the installation of the PACS system, our capacity to rapidly review and interpret images has significantly improved. By functioning in a filmless environment, and without relying on manual transcription, we can directly contribute to enhanced patient care within the Dimensions Healthcare facilities," said Radiologist, Gurmeet Sidhu, MD.

“Everyone within MIS has contributed to the success of the RIS/PACS implementation along with the entire PACS “Build Team. We were very pleased with the data access speed, viewing capabilities and other enhancements as a result of the PACS system but the largest gain that we cherish the most though is the patient care possibilities," said Dennis Lilik, Chief Information Officer.

Dimensions Healthcare System is a not-for-profit health system serving Prince George’s County and surrounding areas. The new PACS will be available system-wide including Prince George’s Hospital Center, Laurel Regional Hospital, Bowie Health Center, Gladys Spellman Specialty Hospital & Nursing Center and affiliated organizations such as the Senior Health Center in Brentwood and the Glenridge Medical Center in Lanham. ###

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