Strategies to optimize a pediatric magnetic resonance imaging service

Abstract

A pediatric MRI service is a vital component of a successful radiology department. Building an efficient and effective pediatric MRI service is a multifaceted process that requires detailed planning for considerations related to finance, operations, quality and safety, and process improvement. These are compounded by the unique challenges of caring for pediatric patients, particularly in the setting of the recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In addition to material resources, a successful pediatric MRI service depends on a collaborative team consisting of radiologists, physicists, technologists, nurses and vendor specialists, among others, to identify and resolve challenges and to strive for continued improvement. This article provides an overview of the factors involved in both starting and optimizing a pediatric MRI service, including commonly encountered obstacles and some proposed solutions to address them.

Keywords: Body; Children; Magnetic resonance imaging; Operations; Pediatric radiology; Service.

Fig. 1

An example of a real-time view of MR scans that are scheduled and in progress serving as an MRI workflow dashboard. Completed scans (blue), in-progress scans (green), in-preparation scans (yellow), scheduled scans (white)

Fig. 2

Predictive model developed by authors’ institution extrapolating the impact of local government public health reopening measures during the first wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (March–May 2020) on anticipated radiology examination volumes as percentage of pre-COVID volumes. Each bar represents a week’s worth of total exam volume. Blue bars indicate actual volume as a percentage of pre-COVID studies prior to introduction of reopening measures. Predicted volume corresponding to subsequent introduction of reopening measures is indicated by orange for phase 1, gray for phase 2 and yellow for phase 3 in order of decreased restrictions due to relaxing of COVID-19 safety protocols. Predicted decrease in volume during weeks 29–36 corresponds to potential rollback in reopening measures. Data provided by Steven Guitron, Massachusetts General Hospital Medical Analytics Group