Because the choice of a consultant can make or break a PACS installation, it is essential to make the choice carefully, cautioned a PACS expert during a presentation at the SCAR meeting.
Given the large scale of a PACS project, bringing in consultants may not be a bad idea, provided the consultants understand the unique needs of the institution, said Douglas M. Tucker, Ph.D., director of technical product management at Agfa.
"The selection of one or more consultants can be as daunting a task as implementing PACS," he said. "Managed effectively, consultants represent a proven way to bridge the gap between needs and capabilities."
Few resources are available to help guide a novice PACS implementer through a complete and successful installation, and a consultant can supplement local limitations in personnel, resources, capabilities, and desires, he said.
Tucker recommends a four-step method for choosing PACS consultants:
- Outline the implementation of PACS as a multiphase project. Different requirements in skills and resources characterize each phase.
- Objectively assess the implementing institution's access to skills, knowledge, and resources. Honesty and accuracy are essential for an objective evaluation.
- Evaluate the difference between project requirements and institution capabilities. This difference should highlight the institution's needs.
