Clinicians' access to diagnostic imaging information at an academic center: perceived impact on patient management

We studied the efficiency with which clinicians were able to obtain the results of radiologic studies during visits to the radiology department in an effort to determine how often delays occurred and, if so, how they were perceived to have influenced patient care. We monitored 322 physician's visits to four locations within the radiology department in search of imaging information or consultative services. The average duration of these visits was 6.2 min (range, 38 sec-55 min). Two hundred forty-three visits (75%) were completed successfully, and 10 additional visits were for consultation purposes only. In 43% of the 69 unsuccessful visits, physicians indicated that lack of access to imaging information would definitely (38%) or possibly (6%) result in delays in diagnosis and/or therapy. In 17% of the unsuccessful visits, physicians indicated that the inability to access imaging information would definitely (13%) or possibly (4%) extend the patient's length of stay in the hospital. Our study suggests that better access to imaging information may prevent delays in patient management decisions, thereby substantially reducing costs and potentially improving patient care.