Many institutions still operating under first-generation PACS are contemplating the need to replace their systems with new platforms capable of addressing the growth and complexity of their practices and the users' expectations for speed and reliability, according to senior author and presenter Dr. Irena Tocino of Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven. PACS replacement is a significant financial and operational commitment, however, with high expectations for success.
"When our large academic-based multihospital organization contemplated a system-wide PACS replacement, we created and documented a detailed step-by-step process to guide us toward a successful selection and implementation," Tocino told AuntMinnie.com. "Key to the success was the total involvement of champion radiologists from the very early stages of the project."
This poster will focus on the process of vendor selection and contracting.
"Institutions considering PACS replacement will need to first create a robust and engaged PACS committee led by radiologists and with strong representation of all appropriate constituents," Tocino said. "A transparent process with meticulous documentation will help steering decisions in the right direction, justify the budget, and secure universal acceptance."
Once you're done perusing this poster on Wednesday, walk on over to Learning Station #4 for the group's second poster presentation. That talk (IN-147-ED-WEB4) will delve into the implementation and go-live process and will be available for discussion from 12:45 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.
"We hope our experience can be a resource to other institutions," Tocino said.
