Cost analysis of Turku University Central Hospital PACS in 1998.

Introduction of a picture archiving and communication system (PACS) into an old hospital poses several problems since the system cannot be implemented instantaneously. We analysed the costs of a halfway implemented PACS in Turku University Central Hospital (TUCH) during 1998. Manual and digital archiving in 1998 continued parallel so that only 10% reduction of film usage was achieved. A 21% increase in image manipulation and storage expenses occurred. A calculation based on potential 90% reduction of film usage and changes in the amount of personnel suggest some direct savings. Also, indirect savings due to more efficient patient treatment and the reduction of time spent in the hospital, and overhead costs of information handling are expected to lead to savings. However, these savings were not included in our calculations. When full-scale PACS is installed, equipment investments, network and digital ware maintenance costs will drop from 121 to 116% compared with traditional film archiving activity costs.