PLANNING AND COST-ANALYSIS OF DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHY SERVICES FOR A NETWORK OF HOSPITALS (THE VETERANS-INTEGRATED-SERVICE-NETWORK)

This study analysed the design and cost of a picture archiving and com munications system (PACS), computerized radiography (CR) and a wide-ar ea network for teleradiology. The Desert Pacific Healthcare Network co mprises 10 facilities, including four tertiary medical centres and one small hospital. Data were collected on radiologists' workloads, and p atient and image flow within and between these medical centres. These were used to estimate the size and cash flows associated with a system -wide implementation of PACS, CR and teleradiology services. A cost an alysis model was used to estimate the potential cost savings in a film less radiology environment. ATM technology was selected as the communi cations medium between the medical centres. A strategic plan and busin ess plan were successfully developed. The cost model predicted the cos t-effectiveness of the proposed PACS/CR configuration within four to s ix years, if the base costs were kept low. The experience gained in de sign and cost analysis of a PACS/teleradiology network will serve as a model for similar projects.