Online access to imaging records through PocketHealth

Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS)
PACS is an information technology system that replaces the traditional film and the film handling infrastructure both within a Medical Imaging department and throughout an entire hospital.
Imaging modalities (CT, MRI, general radiography, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, mammography) send image information digitally over the hospital network to a central system (database and image storage). From this central system, images are distributed instantly as required to computer workstations for primary diagnosis by radiologists and to clinical areas such as Emergency, Critical Care Unit, and the Operating Room. Radiologists can view images on PACS through remote access during a consultation with the ER after hours. PACS provides quicker results to the ER physician and also serves as a secure archive, eliminating the need for film storage.
Health Diagnostic Imaging Repository Services (HDIRS)
North York General Hospital (NYGH) is now sending diagnostic images, with the exception of nuclear medicine cardiology images, to HDIRS (Health Diagnostic Imaging Repository Services). This is an imaging data centre where NYGH is one of 36 member hospitals of the corporation. When fully operational, the data centre will allow radiologists and other health care providers to access patients’ current and historical diagnostic images.
There are many benefits to HDIRS. For example, when a patient is admitted to one of these hospitals or transferred from one hospital to another, the need to wait for CDs or to repeat diagnostic examinations is eliminated. The patient's treatment time is shortened.
Film library
The film library is a key part of the Medical Imaging Department, responsible primarily for the maintenance of images that are on films as well as the transferring of digital images onto CDs. The use of film in Medical Imaging has been gradually replaced by digital images through the use of PACS.
Hours and contact information
General site: Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tel: 416-756-6169