Luigi Lepanto MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Guy Paré, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

David Aubry, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Pierre Robillard MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jacques Lesage MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To measure the immediate and delayed impact of PACS on dictation turnaround time and productivity, for different imaging modalities.

The RIS database was interrogated to calculate the dictation turnaround time for every exam performed during three 90-day periods: the 3 months preceding PACS implementation, the 3 months immediately following PACS deployment and a 3 month period one year after PACS implementation. Data were obtained for three exam types: chest radiographs, abdominal CT, and spine MRI. For each period and for each modality, the mean dictation turnaround time was calculated. Productivity was determined for each period and for each exam type (number of studies dictated per full time equivalent). The mean dictation turnaround times obtained during the different pre and post PACS periods were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Data from 20126 examinations were analysed. Mean dictation turnaround times varied between 2.8 and 3.1 days before PACS, 2.3 and 3.6 days immediately after PACS , and between 1.5 and 2.6 days one year later. Improved mean turnaround time was most evident for radiography, with decreases of 18% (p<.001) and 46% (p<.001) immediately after PACS and 1 year after implementation, respectively, when compared to pre-PACS values. During these two periods, productivity increased, for radiography, 4% and 27%, respectively. Mean turnaround time for CT was unchanged in the immediate post-PACS period, but decreased 16% (p<.001), one year after implementation, when compared to pre-PACS values. Productivity improved most for CT with an increase of 46% one year after implementation, coinciding with the introduction of multi-slice CT. After a decline in productivity of 5% and a lengthening of mean turnaround time by 28% (p<.001) for MRI, in the immediate post-PACS period, both measures improved 1 year later: productivity increased 16% and mean turnaround time decreased 36%, when compared to pre-PACS values.

Shortened dictation turnaround time and increased productivity, are evident one year after PACS implementation, for all imaging modalities. In the immediate post-PACS period, benefits in CT and MRI lag those seen for radiography.

Lepanto, L, Paré, G, Aubry, D, Robillard, P, Lesage, J, Dictation Turnaround Time and Productivity Following PACS Implementation.  Radiological Society of North America 2005 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 27 - December 2, 2005 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2005/4405734.html