Analog to Digital Workflow Improvement: A Quantitative Study

Wideman, Catherine; Gallet, Jacqueline M

doi:10.1007/s10278-006-0770-x

Cited by 13 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 14 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Building and understanding MIC workflow is usually conducted in a brute-force fashion; that is, by taking a stopwatch and physically timing each step of the clinical examination processes. This can be observed as taking a snapshot from the doctors'/technologists' daily activities focusing on a patient examination, including the room preparation prior to an examination, the examination itself, the report generation and the discharge of the patient from the MIC (Wideman and Gallet 2006).…”

Section: Patient Flowmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tools to Improve the Patient’s Processes at Imaging Centers

Neriz¹,

Ramis²

2011

Medical Imaging

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

There is a worldwide concern for increased efficiency and cost effectiveness in healthcare delivery which in the USA represents about 16% of the Gross Domestic Product. The variability and complexity of the processes within healthcare systems demand the use of more sophisticated management tools, such as the recommended by a joint study by the National Academy of Engineering and the Institute of Medicine in the USA (NAE 2005), to improve the healthcare delivery system. In this chapter it is seen the integration of three management tools (Activity Based Costing, Lean Healthcare and Process Simulation) to facilitate the development of Medical Imaging Center (MIC) studies in order to improve the patient´s processes, which departs from traditional modeling because it uses a pull paradigm for the patients. Activity Based Costing (ABC Costing) is used to identify improvement opportunities from the managers' point of view, Lean Healthcare (Lean) to identify opportunities from the Customers´ point of view and Process Simulation (Simulation) to test the potential impact of any proposed alternative identified with ABC Costing or Lean, prior to its implementation. The center to be modeled might be as simple as having one x-ray machine, or, more complex having all kind of imaging machines (magnetic resonance, CT, x-ray, digestive radiology, ultrasound scan, angiography, mammography and others). Medical Imaging Centers are important units in every hospital or medical center as they are a relevant link in generating a patient's diagnostic. Because of this, it is necessary that these centers be managed with high quality standards but also with efficiency. As an application, an integrated example is provided where ABC costing, Lean and Simulation are applied to an imaging center to improve the patient's waiting times and process costs. Medical Imaging Centers have made an important investment in PACS systems, which provide data comprising from the reception of patients to the taking of the image. This kind of system gives relevant and detailed information, such as: number and kind of patient, frequency, type of exam, supplies and drugs utilized and personnel involved, all of these entry data are significantly useful to the proposed tools, and, furthermore complement and support the information for the management of MIC.

show abstract

Section: Patient Flowmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tools to Improve the Patient’s Processes at Imaging Centers

Neriz¹,

Ramis²

2011

Medical Imaging

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The process consists of the following key steps: (a) entering patient information into the register/console, (b) setting exposure parameters, (c) getting and positioning the radiographic cassette, (d) positioning the patient, (e) radiographic exposure, (f) film processing, (g) cassette reloading, and (h) image quality check before the patient goes away. [ 22 ]…”

Section: Impact Of Dr On Departmental Workflowmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of computers in radiography: The advent of digital radiography, Part-2

Verma

Indrajit

2008

Indian J Radiol Imaging

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…The transition from analog to digital radiographic systems has allowed for numerous opportunities to enhance workflow in radiology for both radiologists and technologists. [11][12][13][14] It has been well-documented in literature advocating the need for better image quality evaluation in digital radiography. [15][16][17] A software-based tool was developed to address deficiencies with the paper-based method.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Peer Review Tool for General Radiography Technologists Improves Image Quality

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose: Quality improvement is vital to ensure health-care providers meet optimal patient care standards. Within our jurisdiction, accreditation requires image peer review as part of the quality assurance program. We propose a method to improve quality assurance in radiography by implementing a novel software-based peer review system for radiography technologists. Methods: This is a retrospective study. A peer review tool was developed in Microsoft Excel and Visual Basic. The tool has 14 image quality criteria, which were selected based on national and international criteria, each containing standardized answers ensuring a common scoring regime. The tool provides data analysis and storage of all peer reviews performed. Radiography supervisors utilized the tool to evaluate image quality of various body parts at 28 hospitals. The tool enabled each Medical Imaging Department to objectively score images at their own hospital. Approximately 2% of all radiographs were randomly chosen for peer review. Additionally, the tool allowed for regional analysis based on hospital, body part, and quality criterion. Results: Initial findings exposed equipment-related issues such as worn imaging plates, artifacts, and poor exposures, which prompted increased preventative maintenance. Other documented issues included foreign objects, inadequate collimation and centering, and inconsistent usage of lead markers. After identifying quality assurance-related issues, hospitals implemented education, resulting in improved overall image quality scores in subsequent audits. Conclusion: The peer review tool helped identify and correct various issues affecting image quality and ensures our program meets required accreditation standards. Furthermore, staff found utilizing the tool to identify areas for improvement improved collaboration, ongoing education, and support between staff.

show abstract

Analog to Digital Workflow Improvement: A Quantitative Study

Cited by 13 publications

References 14 publications

Tools to Improve the Patient’s Processes at Imaging Centers

Tools to Improve the Patient’s Processes at Imaging Centers

Impact of computers in radiography: The advent of digital radiography, Part-2

Peer Review Tool for General Radiography Technologists Improves Image Quality

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About