Giles Walter Boland MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Denise Palumbo, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Kathy Tabor Mcewan, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Pamela Harlem, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Anar Pathak, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

CT demand has rapidly increased in both the UK and USA. This has particularly impacted UK CT waiting lists which now average 6 weeks for an out-patient appointment. It has been proposed that this is a result of constrained resources in a time of increasing demand. This study evaluated CT productivity differences between the USA and UK to determine if there were any opportunities for reducing waiting lists in the UK.

Six CT scanners from three Health Trusts in the UK and 6 scanners from a single academic center in the USA were evaluated. 5/6 UK scanners were multislice (all hospital based) and 6/6 multislice in the USA (4/6 hospital based and 2/6 imaging centers). Parameters evaluated included: Hourly, daily, monthly and annual examination volumes, hours of operation (excluding overnight emergency operation), number of technologists (full time equivalents), radiologist work practices, number of beds per hospital and patient referral base.

Average annual CT examination volume/machine was 7620 (range 1747 – 12618) for the UK and 16660 (range 11925 – 19599) for the USA. This equates to 118% improved CT productivity in the USA which increased further to 147% when only main campus scanners were evaluated. Average 9 am – 5 pm hourly throughput was 4.6 examinations/scanner in the USA and 2.1 examinations in the UK. Average daily hours of operation in the UK were 8.4 hours and 15.2 hours in the USA. Average FTE/machine was 1.4 in the UK and 2.2 in the USA. Idiosyncratic radiologist practices existed in the UK (i.e. equipment was not in operation when staff radiologist was absent). Total number of hospital beds for the USA was 853 versus 1350 for the UK. Referral population base for the US was 1 million versus 1.8 million in the UK.

Large CT productivity differences exist between the US and UK. Some differences can be explained by technologist shortage in the UK. However differing operational efficiencies, idiosyncratic work practices and hours of operation also contribute to variations in productivity. This study suggests that there are opportunities in the UK to significantly increase CT productivity and reduce waiting lists using existing equipment.

Boland, G, Palumbo, D, Tabor Mcewan, K, Harlem, P, Pathak, A, CT Productivity Differences between the UK and the USA: Opportunities for the National Health Service.  Radiological Society of North America 2004 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2004 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2004/4413975.html