Factors Associated With Timeliness and Equity of Access to Outpatient MRI Examinations

The role of MRI in guiding patients' diagnosis and treatment is increasing. Therefore, timely MRI performance prevents delays that can impact patient care. We assessed the timeliness of performing outpatient MRIs using the socio-ecological model approach and evaluated multilevel factors associated with delays.

This institutional review board-approved study included outpatient MRI examinations ordered between October 1, 2021, and December 31, 2022, for performance at a large quaternary care health system. Mean order-to-performed (OtoP) interval (in days) and prolonged OtoP interval (defined as >10 days) for MRI orders with an expected date of 1 day to examination performance were measured. Logistic regression was used to assess patient-level (demographic and social determinants of health), radiology practice-level, and community-level factors associated with prolonged OtoP interval.

There were 126,079 MRI examination orders with expected performance within 1 day placed during the study period (56% of all MRI orders placed). After excluding duplicates, there were 97,160 orders for unique patients. Of the MRI orders, 48% had a prolonged OtoP interval, and mean OtoP interval was 18.5 days. Factors significantly associated with delay in MRI performance included public insurance (odds ratio [OR] = 1.11, P < .001), female gender (OR = 1.11, P < .001), radiology subspecialty (ie, cardiac, OR = 1.71, P < .001), and patients from areas that are most deprived (ie, highest Area Deprivation Index quintile, OR = 1.70, P < .001).

Nearly half of outpatient MRI orders were delayed, performed >10 days from the expected date selected by the ordering provider. Addressing multilevel factors associated with such delays may help enhance timeliness and equity of access to MRI examinations, potentially reducing diagnostic errors and treatment delays.