A computer system to monitor radiology department activity: a management tool to improve patient care

A microcomputer system has been developed and installed at the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology to monitor the moment-to-moment activity in a radiology department. Data about department performances are collected, summarized, and displayed in graphs and tables on terminals at stations throughout the department. The system is currently used to monitor a wide variety of functions including patient waiting time, report production time, film-library operations, equipment maintenance, and room use. Since the displays are updated in real-time, it is possible to identify and address problems as they occur, thereby providing a method of evaluation that leads to improved performance as related to patient care.