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. 2006;19 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):18-28.
doi: 10.1007/s10278-006-0858-3.

Analysis of the X-ray work flow in two diagnostic imaging departments with and without a RIS/PACS system

Caterina Mariani  1 , Antonella Tronchi, Luigi Oncini, Osvaldo Pirani, Roberto Murri
Affiliations

Analysis of the X-ray work flow in two diagnostic imaging departments with and without a RIS/PACS system

Caterina Mariani et al. J Digit Imaging. 2006.

Abstract

A traditional radiological workflow is compared with one based on radiology information system/picture archiving and communication system (RIS/PACS). X-ray workflow process was considered in both radiology departments. First, the study identified the main phases of the research work as follows: Process Analysis, Data Collection and Elaboration, Interpretation. Afterwards, the main steps of the whole image acquisition process were defined, and each step was divided into a number of elementary operations. Then, the time required to complete each of these was measured. Data collected were elaborated and synthesized to obtain time frequency distributions for each step and evaluation of the total time for the whole working flow. Statistical elaboration of the collected data shows that x-ray working time decreases, between 35% and 57%, when RIS/PACS is used. Detailed analysis of the whole working process allows identification of possible critical points to improve the image acquisition process.

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Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1
Traditional radiological workflow for an x-ray examination without contrast in the case of a nonurgent outpatient. In particular, rectangles represent the process steps, ovals describe paper documents transiting from a step to another, and dotted lines evidence paper and film movements.
Fig 2
Fig 2
Digital radiological workflow for an x-ray examination without contrast in the case of a nonurgent outpatient. Rectangles, ovals, and dotted lines have the same meaning as in Figure 1. Note that the number of ovals and of dotted lines is greatly lower, because the process is automatic without paper and film movements.
Fig 3
Fig 3
Histogram representing frequency density distribution of patient registration time for a traditional x-ray workflow.
Fig 4
Fig 4
Histogram representing frequency density distribution of execution time for a traditional x-ray workflow.
Fig 5
Fig 5
Histogram representing frequency density distribution of reporting time for a traditional x-ray workflow.
Fig 6
Fig 6
Histogram representing frequency density distribution of delivery time for a traditional x-ray workflow.
Fig 7
Fig 7
Histogram representing frequency density distribution of patient registration time for a digital x-ray workflow.
Fig 8
Fig 8
Histogram representing frequency density distribution of execution time for a digital x-ray workflow.
Fig 9
Fig 9
Histogram representing frequency density distribution of reporting time for a digital x-ray workflow.
Fig 10
Fig 10
Histogram representing frequency density distribution of delivery time for a digital x-ray workflow.
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