Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of charge capture by a radiology information system.

Installation of a radiology information management system (RIS) is usually justified on the basis of improved departmental efficiency and improved charge capture. However, evaluation of the success of these expected improvements is often difficult. The installation and operation of such a system in a medium-sized tertiary care hospital has permitted the effects of the RIS on the operation of the department to be studied and the improvements in charge capture provided by the system to be quantitatively assessed. As a result of a side-by-side comparison with a conventional check-sheet manual billing system, it is apparent that the RIS reduces the errors inherent in manual systems. Subjectively, it is also apparent that personnel prefer the computerized system to the manual charge sheets.