Workload of an imaging department in 1978 vs. 1982: changes, reasons, and resolutions

The diagnostic radiology workload in a university-affiliated general hospital (primarily for inpatients) was recorded and analyzed as to number of examinations and room occupancy time of three different representative months in both 1978 and 1982. Examinations of conventional radiology decreased in number in all fields, markedly in the biliary system and GU tract and minimally in the chest and skeletal system, whereas ultrasound as well as CT rapidly increased in number and/or time. Special procedures (invasive/interventional) also increased in number and time with the exception of lymphography. Future planning of imaging rooms as well as training programs should be instituted based on these data.