Misericordia University is a Roman Catholic four year co-educational university in Dallas, PA founded in 1924 by the Sisters of Mercy. Misericordia offers a wide selection of course continuums, including Health Sciences. Integrated Modular Systems, Inc. (IMSI) recently provided licenses for one iQ-WEBX 5, and four iQ-VIEW/PRO from IMAGE Information Systems, Ltd. to Misericordia University of Dallas, PA for the Medical Imaging Department.

Elaine Halesey, Ed.D., R.T.R. R (QM) (ARRT), wrote to John Mazur, President of IMSI: “John, thanks so much to Integrated Modular Systems, Inc. for this terrific product. The addition of our ability to utilize this PACS system has positively enhanced the curriculum at Misericordia University in many ways. It allows our students to see, first hand, on campus, prior to them actually experiencing the clinical portion of the program, the type of product used in actual Radiology Departments. It also will improve our ability to deliver the curriculum in a more efficient manner.”

While its use by other faculty will be expanded as their curricula is revised, the PACS is presently being used by Professor Lorie Zelna, who states: "The Medical Imaging program of Misericordia University is using the iQ-VIEW/PRO software by IMAGE Information Systems, Ltd. as part of the Radiographic Image Analysis course. The students are assigned projections by the instructor. Using a mannequin, under the direct supervision of the course instructor, the students perform the radiologic exposures, and process the image using the CR. The images are sent to the PACS server. The students are provided an image analysis rubric by the course instructor. From their homes or dormitory rooms, the students can access the images to complete the rubric at their leisure. An assigned due date for submission of the rubric is determined by the course instructor. Once the instructor receives the student rubrics, he/she accesses the PACS server to view each of the students’ projections and compares the student rubric evaluation of the assigned projections. This project is a graded assignment that requires the students to apply the skills that are discussed in the didactic component of the course. Having the software accessible to students has afforded greater opportunities for out-of-class assignments thereby enhancing the learning opportunities for the students. Incorporating the use of PACS at the first semester, sophomore level, provides students with experience in the use of PACS prior to entering the clinical environment. The intention for this early introduction is to assist in the knowledge transfer and ease the transition from the laboratory to the clinical environment. The process is a success. The course instructor intends to incorporate additional applications for use of this software."