eHealth Saskatchewan is currently preparing to upgrade the Saskatchewan Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) from version 4.4.541.5 to version 4.4.553.30. This upgrade will require the use of either the new IntelliSpace PACS Enterprise client or the new IntelliSpace PACS Internet Explorer package (See PACS Client Specifications) by the various authorized health care providers throughout the province.
A specific go-live date has not been defined at this time. However, it is anticipated to be in early Fall 2019. This website will be updated with that date upon confirmation. A communication will also be sent to all authorized healthcare provider organizations.
Below you will find links to helpful documents for your preparation efforts. The first one is the Client Specifications document. Page 2, Columns 1 "IntelliSpace PACS Anywhere 1.3" and 2 "IntelliSpace PACS Enterprise 4.4 without Volume Vision*", will describe the computer hardware and operating systems (OS) that can run the new client. The second link (Coming Soon) is to the Installation Guide created and tested by eHealth Saskatchewan's Medical Imaging team:
Healthcare providers using personal/private computers 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 and 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 version of PACS MUST be installed on or after go-live date prior to using the PACS system. An updated Installation Guide will be posted to this website at a time closer to the official go-live date.
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)
- 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 Internet Explorer version 10 or 11. 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.
