Operational Modeling For PACS: How Do We Decide If It's Cost Effective?

The operational analysis project at UNC is continuing, with a major goal directed at prospective analysis of the effectiveness of technological capabilities and potential cost effects of PACS on the operation. We have now defined the major operational variables we believe will provide information to evaluate PACS technology. These operational variables, the modeling methodology and the methods of data collection are described. Our approach to statistical analysis of diagnostic quality is also briefly discussed.