| Summary: | Radiology is rapidly changing in the 21st century and globally there is a transition of
radiology departments to digital imaging technology. The major challenge confronting
radiology practices is to obtain cost savings and productivity gains once PACS is
established. The purpose of the study is to undertake an incremental cost analysis of
PACS compared to a conventional radiology department. Cost savings of the system was
also determined in terms of productivity gains.
An incremental cost analysis for Chest X-rays, CT Brain scans with and without contrast,
MRI Brain scans with and without contrast was performed. The overall incremental cost
between a PACS site and a conventional radiography site was determined in the study.
The net present value technique was also determined to evaluate the capital budgeting
requirements for both systems. The incremental costs for capital, RIS and image
production for the PACS as well as the conventional system were performed. The
incremental costs for both capital and RIS show an increase. In contrast, the incremental
PACS image cost shows a reduction.
This study provides a number of South African Radiology Departments which plan to
introduce PACS in the near future with a bench mark for the financial implications
incurred during the implementation phase. It assists other facilities in deciding on
implementing PACS and contributes to the development of methodologies within the
South African context. === Thesis (M.Med.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2012
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