To begin, PACS RIS are two separate but related features.  PACS stands for Picture Archiving and Communication System, while RIS means Radiology Information System.  PACS has to do with digital medical imaging, and it is a software and hardware system that allows medical facilities to store, view, retrieve, send and receive digital medical images from a computer.  RIS is a software database that enables radiology departments to archive and distribute both digital medical images as well as other types of data such as patient scheduling, tracking and reporting.  When used together, they greatly improve the workflow for any radiology department in a small or large medical facility.

A pacs server allows medical personnel to obtain images from various modalities, such as mammographies, MRIs and CTs, and then take those digital images and view them on a workstation, store them in archives and transmit them via a secure network.  PACS RIS also come as mini-pacs and web-based pacs.  Mini-pacs are an extremely focused type of pacs system that allows you to use images taken from one type of modality, rather than multiple modalities as can be done on a full pacs system, and then manipulate them on a workstation.  A web-based pacs is a system that allows you to send and receive digital medical images and other data over the Internet.  They use secure transmissions over virtual private networks or secure socket layer.  The web-based aspect of the pacs has changed how medical offices function, because now it is a simple matter to remotely work nearly anywhere in the world due to the use of the World Wide Web, and this also allows for improved consultations with physicians located down the hall or across the world from you.

A RIS PACS system helps keep a radiology department organized in terms of patient care.  With this type of system, departments can track the registration and scheduling of their patients.  It is easy to create test requests and results entries, reports and printouts automatically.  The system can handle emailing clinical reports, and can be used to book patient appointments, to maintain your office workflow, and even to create customized reports.  Many systems also take care of billing as well.  

For the speed and ease of use brought about by this new technology, many medical offices are switching over to a pacs server.