Here are 10 things to know about the study:
- The improvements were implemented in response to rising outpatient imaging needs in 2022, which led to an average scheduling interval of six weeks.
- An initiative was put in place to decrease the average scheduling interval to 10 days by January 2023.
- Double booking examination slots for four weeks reduced the scheduling interval to 12 days.
- In the following nine weeks, shortened examination times from 20 minutes to 15 minutes and standardized contrast protocols across all sites reduced the scheduling interval to seven days.
- Adding an extra CT scanner reduced the scheduling interval to three days.
- Staffing adjustments did not affect the scheduling interval.
- The improvements had no effect on the average appointment delay, which remained consistent over the study period.
- The improvements increased average weekly examinations by 19%, from 722 to 860.
- The examination volume increase led to an additional $1,612,000 in annual revenue.
- The rise in examination volume has led to longer turnaround times for reports.
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