Time analysis for optimization of radiology workflow in conventional radiology during RIS-PACS-integration

Peter Falkensammer; Peter I. Soegner M.D.; Dieter zur Nedden

doi:10.1117/12.467028

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16 May 2002 Time analysis for optimization of radiology workflow in conventional radiology during RIS-PACS-integration

Peter Falkensammer, Peter I. Soegner M.D., Dieter zur Nedden

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Proceedings Volume 4685, Medical Imaging 2002: PACS and Integrated Medical Information Systems: Design and Evaluation; (2002) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.467028
Event: Medical Imaging 2002, 2002, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The integration of RIS-PACS systems in radiology units are intended to reduce time consumption in radiology workflow and thus to increase radiologist productivity. Along with the RIS-PACS integration at the University Hospital Innsbruck we analyzed workflow from patient admission to release of final reports before implementation. The follow up study after six months of the implementation is currently in work. In this study we compared chest to skeletal x-ray examinations in 969 patients before the implementation. Drawing the admission-to-release-of-final-report period showed a two-peak diagram with the first peak corresponding to a release of final results on the same day and the second peak to a release on the following day. In the chest x-ray group, 57% were released the same day (mean value 4:02 hours) and 43% the next day (mean value 21:47 hours). Looking at the skeletal x-rays 40% were released the same day (mean value 3:58 hours) and 60% were released the next day (mean value 21:05 hours). Summarizing the results we should say, that the average chest x-ray requires less time than an skeletal x-ray, due to the fact that a greater percentage of reports is released the same day. The most important result is, that the most time consuming workstep is the exchange of data media between radiologist and secretary with at least 5 hours.

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Peter Falkensammer, Peter I. Soegner M.D., and Dieter zur Nedden "Time analysis for optimization of radiology workflow in conventional radiology during RIS-PACS-integration", Proc. SPIE 4685, Medical Imaging 2002: PACS and Integrated Medical Information Systems: Design and Evaluation, (16 May 2002); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.467028

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