User and system interface issues in the purchase of imaging and information systems.

We introduce a set of worksheets to facilitate standardized comparisons among scheduling systems, hospital information systems, radiology information systems, and picture archiving and communication systems vendors. For each system category, we provide worksheets to evaluate the features, performance, installation requirements and costs of the included components. These worksheets will help to assure that critical user and systems interface issues are not overlooked and aid potential purchasers to make informed and objective purchasing decisions.