TECHNOLOGY-ASSESSMENT OF PACS IN OSAKA-UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

This paper describes a methodology of PACS technology assessment and g ives examples of the results of measurement of 24 items of PACS-relate d situations of image diagnosis systems in Osaka University Hospital b efore a PACS is installed. These data are to be compared with the data which will be measured after PACS is installed in the new Osaka Unive rsity Hospital, in order to complete our technology assessment. We pro pose common variables, units, and conditions of measurement, in order to establish a standard method of data comparison between before and a fter PACS installation in hospitals at large. We designed our PACS tak ing technology assessment into account. We do not stop the technology assessment at the efficacy evaluation, because PACS must be more than a tool for radiological practice. We extend the technology assessment into the effectiveness evaluation, so that PACS is apart of radiologic al practice itself, and diagnostic accuracy, economy and efficiency ar e the results of PACS operation.