Buying a PACS: The Geneva Experience

Y. Ligier, D. Bandon

Digital Imaging Unit, University Hospital of Geneva, Switzerland

ABSTRACT

After a first prototyping phase, the PACS developed at the University Hospital of Geneva has entered a second phase which must conduct it to a full hospital-wide operational PACS. Considering the complexity and the cost involved, the development will be conducted in several phases. The first - and most important - phase consists of defining the core module dedicated to the radiologists tasks. This module includes the acquisition, the archiving and the reading of images through the department of Radiology. A decision has been taken not to continue the in-house development of the running prototype but to go for a market product.

Buying a PACS is not an easy task. The concept of PACS has gained enough genericity to cover a wide variety of solutions ranging from a mini-PACS to a hospital-wide PACS. So, it is difficult to compare different manufacturer  approaches and even to exactly know which kind of PACS they cover.

This paper describes the Geneva experience, from the call for tenders to the final selection of a product. It is intended to give support to potential PACS buyers. It formally describes the procedure that has been used.

In conclusion, after a first PACS prototype operational for a few years, the University Hospital of Geneva has decided to extend the PACS to a hospital wide basis. The core module has been the subject of a call for tenders. This paper describes this experience and provides all the materials that has been used.

ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE

Dr. Yves LIGIER
Digital Imaging Unit
University Hospital of Geneva
1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland
Fax : (+41 22) 372 61 98
email : ligier(at)dim.hcuge.ch

Oral presentation at EuroPACS'98, Barcelona, Spain