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Radiologists' reading times using PACS and using films: one practice's experience
Howard B Fleishon1, Mythreyi Bhargavan, Cristian Meghea
1Valley Radiologists Ltd., 5322 W. Northern Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85301, USA.
Academic Radiology
|March 24, 2006
Summary
Implementing Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) workstations did not improve radiologists' interpretation time per examination in this study. Workflow redesign is crucial for realizing productivity gains with PACS technology.
Area of Science:
- Radiology Informatics
- Medical Imaging Technology
- Healthcare Workflow Analysis
Background:
- The implementation of Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) is a significant step towards digital enterprise in radiology practices.
- Assessing the impact of PACS on radiologist productivity is crucial for business planning and return on investment evaluations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the change in radiologists' interpretation time per examination using PACS workstations.
- To evaluate the productivity impact of PACS in a private practice setting as part of a digital enterprise feasibility study.
Main Methods:
- Measured interpretation time for 18 radiologists across various modalities (plain film, ultrasound, CT, MRI) during a working day.
- Analyzed data in aggregate and by modality, comparing interpretation times with and without PACS.
- Employed regression analysis to determine the independent effect of PACS on radiologist productivity.
Main Results:
- Average interpretation times were recorded for each modality: plain film (1.4 min), ultrasound (1.96 min), CT (5.08 min), and MRI (6.83 min).
- Regression analysis revealed that PACS had no statistically significant effect on the time radiologists took to interpret a series of exams.
Conclusions:
- The implementation of PACS workstations alone, without concurrent workflow modifications, did not lead to a decrease in radiologists' interpretation time.
- Healthcare facilities considering PACS adoption should not anticipate productivity improvements solely from the technology; workflow optimization is essential.