Do's and don'ts of installing a RIS.

This report reviews several important issues relating to the acquisition of a radiology information system (RIS). It emphasizes the importance of defining specific goals for computerizing a department and for understanding that department's manual operations. It then outlines methods to request proposals from prospective vendors and to evaluate their responses. Suggestions for negotiating a favorable arrangement with a vendor follow. Finally, the summary lists five do's and three don'ts for selecting and installing a RIS.