Factors affecting MRI scanner efficiency in an academic center

Area of Science:

• Radiology and Medical Imaging
• Patient Experience in Healthcare

Background:

• MRI scan duration is crucial for patient throughput and comfort.
• Understanding factors influencing scan time can optimize scheduling and resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify patient characteristics that affect Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan duration.
• To analyze the relationship between patient factors and extended MRI examination times.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of outpatient liver MRI examinations on 1.5T and 3T scanners.
• Utilized in-house software and Electronic Medical Record (EMR) data to collect scan times and patient characteristics.
• Identified patients with breathing difficulties and non-native English speakers.

Main Results:

• Patients with breath-holding issues had significantly longer MRI scan times (median 23.98 min vs. 17.5 min).
• Non-native English speakers were more likely to experience breathing difficulties (53% vs. 27%) and required translators more often (35% vs. 13%).
• Breath-holding issues and not being a native English speaker were associated with scan times exceeding one standard deviation above the median.

Conclusions:

• The ability to follow breathing instructions is a key determinant of MRI scan time.
• Non-native English proficiency is linked to increased breathing difficulties and prolonged scan durations, highlighting a need for targeted communication strategies.