Achim Escher, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Tobias Heye MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Elmar M. Merkle MD, Abstract Co-Author: Advisor, Siemens AG Advisor, Bayer AG Speakers Bureau, Bayer AG Reserach Support, Bayer AG Reserach Support, Bracco Group Reserach Support, Guerbet SA

A real-time-monitoring approach can help to optimize the radiology workflow by making essential process steps and related information available to the staff.

To optimize service quality web-based-monitoring-displays were implemented in 2013/2014. Displays are showing lists of pending studies in critical workflow-steps ( protocoling, scheduling, reporting). The goal is time tracking each workflow-step to ensure timely processing to prevent unnecessary delays. Color-coded time thresholds help to adhere to process time objectives. In a further step this monitoring-approach was used to optimize communication between the emergency room (ER) and radiology department. Status update information for each process-step were broadcasted to a central display at the ER.  

Protocoling: 2013 data showed a high variability in the mean time period between order entry and protocoling (range 50-76 min.) which decreased from 75 min. to 52 min. (2/2014 vs. 3/2014) following the implementation of the monitoring solution. Scheduling: A high variability in the mean scheduling processing time (range 14-36 min.) was improved by 18 minutes from 2/2014 to 3/2014. Reporting: Since the introduction of real-time-monitoring turnaround-times (TAT) for radiology reports in 6/2013, the median of TAT improved by 100 min. compared to 6 months prior and by 278 min. compared to 2012. Information system in the ER: The patient’s status within the radiology scheduling system was displayed in the ER to allow optimized patient management e.g. discharging if an MRI study was arranged. This led to an increase in MRI study referrals (mean before 6.8/week, mean after optimization 15.6/week).  

Previously high variability in workflow steps indicate an opportunity in workflow optimization and reveal organizational issues causing prolonged process steps. To ensure fast processing of each workflow step color-coded indicators to identify critical time period thresholds are helpful. Real-time-monitoring can help to improve service quality for referring physicians by offering transparency and providing information about the patients’ status within the radiology workflow at any time.

Escher, A, Heye, T, Merkle, E, Why Real-time-Monitoring Could Be the Key to Workflow Optimization in Radiology.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14007747.html