or a hospital to go filmless, it involves not only changing how radiology images are managed and shared, but also re-engineering of the clinical practice of healthcare professionals.

This was exactly what the Filmless PMH Implementation Team faced when they started the project in January 2008. They were confronted with challenges such as the healthcare professionals' traditional reliance on films, the lack of infrastructure support in the 35-year-old Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH), the crowded ward environment and the absence of local experience and reference.

The Team was determined to achieve its vision despite all the challenges. Apart from exploring various technical options, the Team empowered work group leaders and actively engaged users in the process. By now it has successfully transformed the way clinical staff handle radiology images in PMH, with digital systems implemented in all clinical specialties.

Filmless operation in hospitals can help improve healthcare delivery by providing quick and easy access to diagnostic images. It also brings about financial and environmental benefits. PMH can now spare 270,000 films a year, equivalent to a saving of HK$2 million. There are also associated reductions in plastic and chemical wastes, as well as a saving of 500m² of storage space.

PMH serves as a role model for filmless implementation in other hospitals under the HA. The evaluation results and the standards developed in this successful case have become the major guiding principles for the HA-wide filmless project.

Technologies including Wi-Fi and mobile computing are used in the filmless implementation project.