From the July 2017 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine
In addition, ARA sometimes needs the workflow solution it implemented in 2013 to normalize selected patient demographic data that is included in the fetched prior studies. For example, sometimes prior studies coming from one of the outside PACS may need its patient identification (medical record number) updated before it can be forwarded to the workstation where it needs to go, Redden said. Having a workflow system that can do this step automatically is very helpful, he said.
Meeting evolving needs
Since automating its workflow with software, ARA has seen several other benefits as well, including making better use of its staff’s time, Redden said. ARA has 103 full-time radiologists.
“We have been able to reallocate approximately 1.5 full-time equivalents to enhance other valuable aspects of our services,” he said. “The software solution has enabled us to be more efficient and productive with our clinical and IT resources. Being able to reallocate human resources since automating our pre-fetching process is a great case in point.”
The software also enables ARA to ensure that not only are prior studies delivered to the appropriate workstations in a timely and accurate manner, but the same is true of any new studies as well.
“Because our radiologists read mammography studies on three Hologic workstations in three different locations, they depend upon the robust routing rules of the software solution we implemented to ensure that all correct studies are delivered in a timely fashion to the correct location,” Redden said.
The hospitals and women’s centers that ARA radiologists read for are very appreciative of its accuracy and fast turnaround time because, in turn, it means that the centers can inform their patients of their results sooner and with greater confidence, Redden said. The bottom line is being able to deliver quality care quickly, and this simple software solution does all that and more, Redden said.
About the author: Barbara Mortellaro is the breast imaging QA coordinator at Austin Radiological Association.Back to HCB News
