Analog to digital workflow improvement: a quantitative study

This study tracked a radiology department's conversion from utilization of a Kodak Amber analog system to a Kodak DirectView DR 5100 digital system. Through the use of ProModel Optimization Suite, a workflow simulation software package, significant quantitative information was derived from work...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of digital imaging 2006-12, Vol.19 Suppl 1 (S1), p.29-34
Main Authors: Wideman, Catherine, Gallet, Jacqueline
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Efficiency, Organizational
Humans
Radiology Department, Hospital - organization & administration
Radiology Information Systems
Systems Integration
Time and Motion Studies
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:This study tracked a radiology department's conversion from utilization of a Kodak Amber analog system to a Kodak DirectView DR 5100 digital system. Through the use of ProModel Optimization Suite, a workflow simulation software package, significant quantitative information was derived from workflow process data measured before and after the change to a digital system. Once the digital room was fully operational and the radiology staff comfortable with the new system, average patient examination time was reduced from 9.24 to 5.28 min, indicating that a higher patient throughput could be achieved. Compared to the analog system, chest examination time for modality specific activities was reduced by 43%. The percentage of repeat examinations experienced with the digital system also decreased to 8% vs. the level of 9.5% experienced with the analog system. The study indicated that it is possible to quantitatively study clinical workflow and productivity by using commercially available software.
ISSN:0897-1889
1618-727X
DOI:10.1007/s10278-006-0770-x