PACS implementation in a university hospital in Tuscany

We describe cost/benefit analysis for the implementation of a picture archiving and communication system in the Department of radiology of University of Siena, Italy. We also highlight technical and functional innovations provided by information of several department units: cost conversion, workflow optimisation and operator development. We analysed: operator costs, paper costs, film costs, chemical costs, costs of optical disks and location rent for hardware and software of RIS/PACS. The results show that advantages provided by PACS implementation derive from a workflow optimization and saving of human resources rather than from a reduction in films and chemicals. Moreover, better management of radiological unit provides improved handling of clinical information, resulting in reduced time to initiate clinical action, with reduction in average length of patient stay and improvements in overall health outcomes.