PACER - A SOFTWARE TOOL FOR PACS DECISION-MAKERS

Abstract. This paper describes the development of the software package PACER as it evolved from a cost model to a software package for PACS decision making. PACER was developed as part of the TEASS topic from t he EurIPACS project. EurIPACS is an EU subsidized project covering a w ide area of PACS related research. The TEASS topic concerns the evalua tion of prototype PACSystems in three European hospitals. PACER allows the user to evaluate costs of various PACS implementation scenarios a nd compare them to the costs of the current film based situation. Its cost calculation is based on a straight forward description of costs o f a film based radiology department and of PACS. The PACER cost analys is can consider stepwise introduction of PACS and a corresponding step wise disappearance of the film environment. This analysis includes eff ects of price developments. PACER calculates costs and expenses for a number of years in succession. The calculated results can be analysed using graphs, tables and sensitivity analysis tools. Preliminary tests in three hospitals indicate that PACER can indeed be a useful tool in the decision process concerning PACS.