All About PACS

Major Cost Savings

Implementation of a PACS (picture archiving and communication system) can save incredible amounts of money and space. Consider:

Film Cost Reduction

Since PACS medical images are digital, the use and cost of film are eliminated. Some hospitals report going filmless in less than five months, and eliminating all film in reading rooms. Frisbie Memorial Hospital in New Hampshire went from spending $19,000 a month to zero on film.

FTE Reduction/Reallocation

You won't need as many full-time employees (or equivalents), since you'll no longer require technicians for film, proofing and shipping. Frisbie Memorial Hospital went from 3.5 staff to 1.5.

Space Savings/Reallocation

Some hospitals have eliminated their medical imaging film rooms entirely and converted them to much-needed office space.

Additional Revenue Opportunities

PACS represents more than a cost savings for your hospital or imaging center. It's also a source of significant revenue. With a PACS, you can open up new markets; for example, by installing a new modality—say, a cardiac CT—you'll benefit from the extra revenue you get from referrals. In one example, a hospital installed both PACS and a VCT, and watched its vascular referrals increase by $240,000 a month. Without a PACS, one outcome seems inevitable: Lost referrals to other hospitals as a consequence of physicians embracing the newest technologies.

IT Strategy is the Key to Profitability

Controlling costs is an essential, ongoing process for all hospitals, not just not-for-profits. When evaluating any technology, therefore, it's especially important to consider its total cost of ownership—not just the initial costs. In the case of PACS, a modest initial investment can yield economic benefits in ways that may not be immediately apparent.