Operational Radiology Recovery in Academic Radiology Departments After the COVID-19 Pandemic: Moving Toward Normalcy

Abstract

This article presents a current snapshot in time, describing how radiology departments around the country are planning recovery from the baseline of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, with a focus on different domains of recovery such as managing appointment availability, patient safety and workflow changes, and operational data and analytics. An e-mail survey was sent through the Society of Chairs of Academic Radiology Departments list server to 114 academic radiology departments. On the basis of data reported by the 38 survey respondents, best practices and shared experience are described for three key areas: (1) planning for recovery, (2) creating a new normal, and (3) measuring and forecasting. Radiology practices should be aware of the common approaches and preparations academic radiology departments have taken to reopening imaging in the post-coronavirus disease 2019 world. This should all be done when maintaining a safe and patient-centric environment and preparing to minimize the impact of future outbreaks or pandemics.

Keywords: COVID-19; Coronavirus; pandemic; practice management; recovery.

Fig 1

Approximate decrease in radiology outpatient volume during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Fig 2

Modality breakdown of scheduled examinations postponed at Henry Ford Health System. Mammography composed the majority of delayed examinations, followed by MRI, CT, and ultrasound. Radiographic examinations are not shown, as they do not require scheduled time slots. COVID-19 = coronavirus disease-2019; GI = gastrointestinal fluoroscopy; IR = interventional radiology; NM/PET= nuclear medicine/ positron emission tomography.

Appendix 1