Imaging and Radiology

Comprising the scanning process and subsequent reporting of scans, Radiology stands as a cornerstone within the hospital diagnostic landscape, spanning across A&E, Inpatients, Outpatients, and Theatres.

Within scanning, challenges often encompass underutilisation of machines, while in reporting, capacity shortages to analyse these scans can arise. Both these issues stem from inadequate control systems that fail to detect and address operational bottlenecks.

Meridian collaborates closely with Trusts to establish robust performance reporting mechanisms. These reports are designed to spotlight available capacity and workforce productivity. When implemented effectively, these reports, combined with targeted management actions, serve to elevate reporting and machine efficiency. The end result is tangible productivity gains and a curbing of potential excess expenditures.

Case Studies: Imaging and Radiology

Radiology Department – Productivity Improvement & Cost Reduction Programme

The study focused on identifying the potential to increase the amount of reporting done within scheduled reporting sessions and the potential to improve the utilisation of the scanning resources, reducing the operating costs.

Radiology Department – Productivity Increase & Cost Reduction Programme

Working within the Radiology Department, Meridian addressed the Trust’s major clinical concerns over the increasing reporting backlog and rising insourcing costs.

Radiotherapy – Radiology Department Improvement Programme

There was no connection between activity assigned to consultants, work completed and the claims received by the Finance Department. The unusually high claims of additional reporting sessions were not systematically tracked and reviewed.

Radiology Improvement Programme

The reporting system showed little control over activity and expectation, leading to large variations in performance and high outsourcing/insourcing costs. The scanning template slots showed readjustment was required to meet commissioned activity.

Imaging Service Improvement Programme

The goals were to implement a system to increase patient attendees back to pre-COVID levels, to ensure correct rostering of staff by room, reducing additional spend and the identification and mitigation of variances impacting capacity.

Emergency Department and Radiology Service Improvement Programme

The analysis was focused on the lack of a systemised approach to planning and assigning the workforce to the departments, based on patient demand.

Theatres, Outpatients & Radiology Improvement Programme

The analysis was a three-week long study, with a total of 35 days being used. The historic performance and management control systems showed a lack of control of planned and actual activity, expectation and performance.

Case Studies: Imaging and Radiology

References