A prospecive evaluation of the impact of filmless operation on the Baltimore VA Medical Center

Summary The objective of this article is to summarize the results of a 3 year prospective evaluation of the impact of filmless operation on the Baltimore VA Medical Center using a hospital-wide Picture Archival and Comnunication System (PACS) The data were collected both before and after the transition to filmless operation by direct observation, analysis of the Hospital Information System databases, physician surveys, and evaluation of the PACS database. There were substantial reductions in examination reporting times. ‘lost’ or missing images, unread studies, and film retakes as well as significant increases in productivity both by the radiologists and technologists. Clinical surveys were suggested a strong preference for filmless over conventional film-based operation. Preliminary analysis suggests that the savings from filmless operation are offset in the imaging department by the eqipment depreciation costs and of maintenance costs but that the hospital as a whole benfits financially from savings in clinican time associated with the PACS. As a conclusion, analysis of the 3 year experience with filmless operation indicates that it has been successful in improving patient care and may result in economic savings as well.