Establishing a contract for a PACS managed service

This review considers the process of contracting for a picture archiving and communication system (PACS) using the private finance initiative (PFI) managed service route. The PFI process is reviewed and the advantages and disadvantages of a managed service detailed. During contract negotiations several areas of conflict were encountered. These are discussed with an outline of how they were resolved. CONCLUSION: A contract for a PACS has been achieved by a large acute hospital Trust using a managed service provision through PFI. In detailing the specific problems encountered in the course of negotiations, it is intended that other Trusts entering on this course will be equipped and strengthened in the finalizing of satisfactory and robust contracts.