A General Framework for Monitoring Image Acquisition Workflow in the Radiology Environment: Timeliness for Acute...

Area of Science:

• Radiology Informatics
• Medical Imaging Workflow Analysis
• Healthcare Process Optimization

Background:

• Digital footprints generated by technologist and device interactions offer valuable data for workflow analysis.
• Analyzing these digital footprints can reveal inefficiencies in medical imaging processes.
• Acute stroke response timeliness is a critical metric influenced by imaging workflow efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a detailed framework for analyzing image acquisition workflows using informatics.
• To demonstrate the practical application of this framework in analyzing CT imaging efficiency for acute stroke.
• To highlight the transferability of the framework across different imaging modalities.

Main Methods:

• Reviewing methods for accessing digital footprints from technologist/device interactions.
• Developing a framework for analyzing image acquisition workflow data.
• Applying the framework to analyze CT technologist workflow and imaging efficiency in acute stroke cases.

Main Results:

• Successfully utilized digital footprints of CT technologists to analyze their workflow.
• Demonstrated the effectiveness of the informatics-based framework in a real-world clinical setting.
• Identified various digital footprints (e.g., contrast administration, scheduling) crucial for comprehensive workflow analysis.

Conclusions:

• The proposed informatics framework provides a robust method for analyzing image acquisition workflows.
• The framework is transferable to any diagnostic radiology imaging modality.
• Workflow analysis using digital footprints can lead to improved efficiency and timeliness in patient care, particularly in critical scenarios like acute stroke.