Arif S. Kidwai MD, Presenter: Owner, Profound Radiology, LLC

Most radiology practices do not quantify daily imaging workload volume (demand) and hourly radiologist productivity (supply) to assess the appropriate staffing levels. Similar to a manufacturing production process, radiology departments can be quantified as a process flow diagram of inputs, buffers, processes, and outputs transforming imaging studies into radiology reports as the final product. In calculating the optimal number of radiologists to staff the process, one must know the radiologist productivity as measured by “flow rate” or “throughput rate” similar to a manufacturing machine.

Eight radiologists at a single, hospital-based practice were analyzed retrospectively for an eight-month period for individual flow rates measured by work relative value units (wRVU) per hour during weekend rotations. Key features of the weekend rotation include: (1) single radiologist responsible for reading all imaging studies performed during previous night and during daytime shift (2) limited interruptions relative to weekday rotations (3) higher imaging workload relative to one radiologist compared to weekday rotations.

The key metric to calculate radiologist productivity was radiologists flow rate as measured in [(wRVU)/(hour)]. Work RVUs units normalized variations in interpretation times among modalities and exam procedures. The analyzed practice typically had 100 wRVUs for interpretation per weekend shift. Radiologists in this practice had sustained reading rates between 6-12 wRVUs/hour and maximum rates between 8-18 wRVUs/hour. Individual radiologists varied in sustained flow rates, maximum flow rates, and number of reading hours.

As radiology practices begin to address inefficient production processes, which are unsustainable with increasing economic pressures, radiologists’ hourly productivity metrics will become standard elements to make staffing decisions. In the near future, radiology practices will start to advertise their productivity rate expectations (demand) to potential candidates who are aware of their individual productivity rates (supply) to facilitate sustainable employment arrangements where supply meets demand.

Kidwai, A, How Many Work Relative Value Units (wRVUs) Does a Radiologist Produce Per Hour?.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14001829.html