TECHNOLOGY-ASSESSMENT METHODS FOR RADIOLOGY SYSTEMS

This article discusses the strengths and weaknesses of technology asse ssment methods for the evaluation of novel and complex radiology syste ms, including picture archiving and communication systems (PACS), comp uted radiography (CR), teleradiology, and other new models for the del ivery of radiology services. Using examples from PACS and CR, we revie w early economic assessments of PACS from the radiology department. We then broaden our perspective to discuss the analytic criteria that ca n be used to evaluate economic analyses of PACS as the health care del ivery system shifts toward managed care. We close with a proposal for optimizing the integration of information technology into the clinical environment through ongoing target data collection during the impleme ntation of new radiology systems.