Implementation of a departmental picture archiving and communication system: a productivity and cost analysis.
BACKGROUND
Digital radiology enhances productivity and results in long-term cost savings. However, the viewing, storage, and sharing of outside imaging studies on compact discs at ambulatory offices and hospitals pose a number of unique challenges to a surgeon's efficiency and clinical workflow.


OBJECTIVE
To improve the efficiency and clinical workflow of an academic neurosurgical practice when evaluating patients with outside radiological studies.


METHODS
Open-source software and commercial hardware were used to design and implement a departmental picture archiving and communications system (PACS).


RESULTS
The implementation of a departmental PACS system significantly improved productivity and enhanced collaboration in a variety of clinical settings. Using published data on the rate of information technology problems associated with outside studies on compact discs, this system produced a cost savings ranging from $6250 to $33600 and from $43200 to $72000 for 2 cohorts, urgent transfer and spine clinic patients, respectively, therefore justifying the costs of the system in less than a year.


CONCLUSIONS
The implementation of a departmental PACS system using open-source software is straightforward and cost-effective and results in significant gains in surgeon productivity when evaluating patients with outside imaging studies.
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA. Lukasz.Macyszyn@uphs.upenn.edu
Luke
L
Macyszyn
Brad
B
Lega
Leif-Erik
LE
Bohman
Ahmad
A
Latefi
Michelle J
MJ
Smith
Neil R
NR
Malhotra
William
W
Welch
Sean M
SM
Grady
D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D057286:Electronic Health Records / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval; D011873:Radiology Information Systems / Q000191:economics*; D012984:Software