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Toward Quantifying the Prevalence, Severity, and Cost Associated With Patient Motion During Clinical MR Examinations
Jalal B Andre1, Brian W Bresnahan1, Mahmud Mossa-Basha1
1Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
Purpose:
To assess the prevalence, severity, and cost estimates associated with motion artifacts identified on clinical MR examinations, with a focus on the neuroaxis.
Methods:
A retrospective review of 1 randomly selected full calendar week of MR examinations (April 2014) was conducted for the detection of significant motion artifacts in examinations performed at a single institution on 3 different MR scanners. A base-case cost estimate was computed from recently available institutional data, and correlated with sequence time and severity of motion artifacts.
Results:
A total of 192 completed clinical examinations were reviewed. Significant motion artifacts were identified on sequences in 7.5% of outpatient and 29.4% of inpatient and/or emergency department MR examinations. The prevalence of repeat sequences was 19.8% of total MRI examinations. The base-case cost estimate yielded a potential cost to the hospital of $592 per hour in lost revenue due to motion artifacts. Potential institutional average costs borne (revenue forgone) of approximately $115,000 per scanner per year may affect hospitals, owing to motion artifacts (univariate sensitivity analysis suggested a lower bound of $92,600, and an upper bound of $139,000).
Conclusions:
Motion artifacts represent a frequent cause of MR image degradation, particularly for inpatient and emergency department patients, resulting in substantial costs to the radiology department. Greater attention and resources should be directed toward providing practical solutions to this dilemma.
Insights
Motion artifacts frequently degrade MR imaging, especially in inpatients, leading to significant costs. Addressing this issue is crucial for radiology departments to improve image quality and reduce financial losses.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
- Healthcare Economics
Background:
- Motion artifacts are a common problem in Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging.
- These artifacts can degrade image quality, leading to diagnostic challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency, severity, and financial impact of motion artifacts in clinical MR scans.
- The study specifically focused on neuroaxis examinations.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of one week of MR examinations from April 2014 was performed.
- Data from 192 examinations across three MR scanners were reviewed.
- Cost estimates were calculated based on sequence time and artifact severity.
Main Results:
- Significant motion artifacts were found in 7.5% of outpatient and 29.4% of inpatient/ED MR exams.
- Repeat sequences were required for 19.8% of all MRI examinations.
- Estimated annual revenue loss due to motion artifacts was approximately $115,000 per scanner.
Conclusions:
- Motion artifacts frequently impair MR image quality, particularly in inpatient and emergency settings.
- These artifacts result in considerable financial losses for radiology departments.
- Developing practical solutions to mitigate motion artifacts is essential.
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Description of the Procedures
Computed Tomography (CT) scan:
Computed Tomography (CT) scans use X-ray technology to generate detailed images of bones, organs, and tissues. During the scan, the patient lies on a moving table...