目的:醫療影像擷取傳輸系統(Picture Archiving and Communication System, PACS) 能提升醫療工作的效率,加速病患的處置,是醫療機構走向病歷電子化重要的ㄧ環,但因造價昂貴,使醫療院所裹足不前。本研究探討在一個區域教學醫院實際建置PACS與傳統X光底片運作的差異成本分析。 方法:PACS的購置價格與未來八年的運作成本,與傳統X光底片運作所需成本做比較。 當影像以數位化成像後就不再使用X光片,以現值法計算兩種作業模式的財務影響。PACS的主要成本項目分別做敏感度分析。回收年限以兩種作業模式每年累計支出的現值推算。 結果:兩種方案比較後PACS 較傳統X光底片運作能節省經費。在敏感度分析上,檢查數量的增加率對傳統X光底片運作的支出有加成效果,當年增率為-6.5%時,PACS將無法節省經費。當數位呈像相關儀器佔PACS初始建置費用的40%,當其購買價格為原來的2.2倍時,兩種方式達平衡。與電腦相關的硬體耐用年限約四年,將在第五年更新,對每年的現值產生一定程度的影響。依據我們的姑算,實施PACS的回收年限是四年。 結論:根據本研究,一個設計適當的PACS相較於傳統X光底片運作,可以節省支出。在有意願走向無片化之醫院,本研究基於差異成本分析提供策略上的支持。
PURPOSE: To determine the differential cost between film-based radiology and a whole scale hospital-wide picture archiving and communication system (PACS) set up at a municipal hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cash flow and running costs of PACS and film-based operation were measured in an 8-year time horizon. When hospital-wide PACS was implemented in a short duration, no concomitant film output after digitization of images. The net present values (NPVs) for differences between these 2 operations were calculated to show the financial impact. Cost drives for PACS operation were also evaluated by using sensitivity analysis. The duration of return-on-investment (ROI) was measured. RESULTS: As compared with film-based operation, there is net savings for PACS operation during the 8-year time horizon. The duration of ROI is less than 4 years. The saving is mainly from reduction in film-related variable costs. For PACS operation, the CR related devices comprise 40% of the initial capital expenditure. The incremental rate of examination number has exponential effect on the costs for film-based operation, but little effect on those for PACS operation. When there is a -6.5% annual changing rate in examination number, the NPV will become negative. When the initial capital expenditure reaches 2.2 folds of purchasing prices, the NPV will break even. CONCLUSION: Based on our experience, properly designed PACS can produce cost saving as compared with film-based operation under NPV analysis. For hospitals with intension to go filmless, this study offers substantial evidence to support PACS implementation base on differential cost analysis.