Many radiology departments and imaging centers are busy to the tune of hundreds of exams per day. Their combined efforts generate billions in yearly revenue. However, in a bustling department, checks and balances ensure harmonious proficiency between people and information technology. Therefore, improving radiology efficiency requires the constant monitoring and fine-tuning of software and workflow practices.
In short, streamlining a process entails altering something to enhance and simplify efficiency. Operating an imaging center requires in-depth knowledge of the department's design, and accomplishing proficiency milestones means understanding the flow of work. It begins when a patient enters an imaging facility and engages with an employee, who then interacts with a software system.
The difficult challenge of improving workflow processes is that people and IT systems may need to integrate with informatics designed by different companies. All these technologies need to communicate with outside facilities and picture archiving communication systems (PACS), radiology information systems (RIS), and electronic medical records (EMRs).
A center’s software, including scheduling modules, needs to have easy-to-use and clear-cut worklists for staff. Studies show that 23% of radiology technologists feel that their workflow is inefficient, increasing burnout and job turnover rates. Robust yet straightforward software reduces work-related stress, is user friendly and visually intuitive, improves staff accuracy, and improves job performance. In addition, an imaging department can attract and keep skilled people with streamlined workflow protocols and cutting-edge software. Finally, software systems should provide assistance and information without affecting patient care, contributing to financial loss, and exasperating the end-user.
Another part of improving radiology efficiency requires keeping an eye on staff and radiologists' productivity. Analytical software can show turnaround times for reports, help develop better imaging protocols, identify bottlenecks, and improve patient care.
Everything in healthcare pertains to patient satisfaction and outcomes. Up-to-date, effective software can attract or repel them too. Therefore, monitoring patient interactions with IT systems in real time provides the valuable feedback needed to improve their experiences.
Billing software can help with current procedural terminology coding and flags information that may impact reimbursement. This type of software is efficient, saves money, and should be a mainstay in radiology departments. In addition, radiology software can help generate referrals by enabling referring physicians to have easy access to reports and standardized ordering formats.
Regardless of why they are visiting an imaging center, people want to expedite their time, experience, and health results. So, accomplishing more, eliminating unnecessary redundancies, and minimizing stress to staff, radiologists, and patients have much to do with the cohesiveness of radiology software. Let's look at four radiology software components and how they work together to streamline proficiency.
In conjunction with software, other things impact workflow, and departments have to consider variables that they can't control. Unpredictable events can happen in radiology and play a considerable part in improving radiology efficiency and patient outcomes. The right software partnered with streamlined processes helps imaging centers maintain high levels of efficiency that can guide a department through hectic days and increase business.
Here at Novarad, we believe that the key to a successful imaging center is to work smarter, not harder, to deliver the type of care and outcomes that patients desire.
To see how we can help improve your workflows, feel free to reach out to our workflow specialists today!