PACS Upgrade Announcement
eHealth Saskatchewan is currently preparing to upgrade the Saskatchewan Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) from version 4.4.533.35 to version 4.7.17. This upgrade will require the use of either the new IntelliSpace PACS Enterprise client, the new IntelliSpace PACS Radiology client or the IntelliSpace PACS Anywhere viewer by the various authorized healthcare providers throughout the Province.
The go-live date has been defined to be October 15th 2023.
PACS will be unavailable from October 14th 8PM to October 15th Noon.
A communication will be sent to all authorized healthcare provider organizations.
Below you will find links to helpful documents for your preparation efforts. The first link is to the Client Specifications document. The second link is to the PACS Quick Reference Guide created and tested by eHealth Saskatchewan's Medical Imaging team to assist with PACS install. The third link will link to the full installation documentation.
Please ensure that you have reviewed the following documentation prior to the upgrade date:
Healthcare providers using non-eHealth Saskatchewan managed workstations are strongly encouraged to upgrade the hardware and OS on their computers so they will be compliant with the new PACS Client Specifications. Please note that hardware and OS upgrades can be done any time prior to the go-live date but MUST be done by the go-live date if you intend on using the installed client. A user with a noncompliant computer may experience poor performance ranging from slowness to an inability to the launch the new PACS application.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The new 4.7.17 Enterprise or Radiology client's MUST be installed on or after go-live date and PRIOR to accessing the Provincial PACS system.
Picture Archiving and Communication System
The Saskatchewan Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) is a secure system designed for authorized healthcare providers to store, retrieve and display diagnostic images and reports
The imaging modalities include:
- General x-ray
- Ultrasound
- Mammography
- CT (computed tomography) / PET CT
- MRI ( magnetic resonance imaging)
- Nuclear medicine
- Bone densitometry
- Angiography and interventional radiography
Desktop and Web Access
The IntelliSpace PACS Enterprise and IntelliSpace PACS Radiology clients can be accessed through the use of the desktop application, which requires installation. The IntelliSpace PACS Enterprise client can also be accessed through a web browser using Microsoft Edge (internet explore. Users outside the Saskatchewan Health Authority's network will need to connect via Virtual Private Network (VPN) before accessing PACS with these options.
Mobile Access Available
Mobile users (laptops and tablets) have the ability to view PACS images through the use of the IntelliSpace PACS Anywhere website. IntelliSpace PACS Anywhere is not a diagnostic tool. It is for review purposes only. IntelliSpace PACS Anywhere is not suited for use on mobile phones.
