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This article presents the Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) planning methodology used by the Department of Defense's (DOD) Joint Imaging Technology Project Office (JITPO). This methodology evaluates four areas of PACS planning and implementation: strategic planning, clinical scenario planning, installation planning, and implementation planning. The first task is to develop a PACS team, from the local facility, that will execute the program. A written PACS plan is developed by the JITPO, with active input and final say from the site's PACS team. This plan includes the PACS goals and objectives, clinical requirements, facility requirements, and the status of the implementation. This methodology, when applied fully at a military clinical site, has resulted in the site obtaining best "value" in terms of cost and performance by requiring the DOD's contracted PACS vendors to propose a PACS package that meets or exceeds the site's unique requirements. The identification of the requirements and the matching of a known PACS configuration with them has reduced the number of unknowns within the vendors' proposals and created true competition in both initial cost and the cost to maintain PACS in the maintenance years. Although there are certain factors unique to planning a military PACS, such as preselected vendors, the planning methodology described in this article should provide a valuable strategy for any hospital planning a PACS.

The acquisition of a picture archiving and communications system (PACS) is an opportunity to reengineer business practices and should optimally consider the entire process from image acquisition to communication of results. The purpose of this presentation is to describe the PACS planning methodology used by the Department of Defense (DOD) Joint Imaging Technology Project Office (JITPO), outline the critical procedures for each phase, and review the military experience using this model. The methodology is segmented into four phases: strategic planning, clinical scenario planning, installation planning, and implementation planning. Each is further subdivided based on the specific tasks that need to be accomplished within that phase. By using this method, an institution will have clearly defined program goals, objectives, and PACS requirements before vendors are contacted. The development of an institution-specific PACS requirement should direct the process of proposal comparisons to be based on functionality and exclude unnecessary equipment. This PACS planning methodology is being used at more than eight DOD medical treatment facilities. When properly executed, this methodology facilitates a seamless transition to the electronic environment and contributes to the successful integration of the healthcare enterprise. A crucial component of this methodology is the development of a local PACS planning team to manage all aspects of the process. A plan formulated by the local team is based on input from each department that will be integrating with the PACS. Involving all users in the planning process is paramount for successful implementation.