Value stream maps for imaging services

Area of Science:

• Radiology and Medical Imaging
• Healthcare Management
• Process Improvement

Background:

• Managing imaging services across multiple physical locations presents significant challenges in maintaining consistent quality and cost efficiency.
• Variations in CT service delivery based on location, patient type (adult/pediatric), and care setting (emergency, inpatient, outpatient) complicate standardization efforts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address challenges in managing diverse CT imaging services across 19 locations.
• To identify methods for ensuring consistent, high-quality, and cost-efficient clinical practices throughout Mayo Clinic Radiology.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of a standardized approach in optimizing patient care and operational performance.

Main Methods:

• Development and implementation of a CareMap framework for CT services.
• Evaluation of service variations across different physical sites, patient demographics, and care settings.
• Analysis of cost efficiency and clinical practice consistency across all 19 locations.

Main Results:

• The CareMap provided a structured solution to standardize CT imaging services.
• Identified key areas for improvement in cost efficiency and clinical practice consistency.
• Enabled a unified approach to delivering high-quality patient care across all service locations.

Conclusions:

• A CareMap is an effective tool for standardizing complex imaging services across multiple sites.
• Standardization through CareMapping leads to improved cost efficiency and consistent clinical best practices.
• This approach supports Mayo Clinic Radiology's commitment to high-quality, efficient patient care across all locations.