Quality Improvement In Action: Improving Report Turnaround Time and Reducing Patient Wait Time at a Radiology Department
We spotlight Mr Arun Govind’s impactful project which focuses on improving turnaround time and waiting time at a radiology department in Bahrain.
The Quality Improvement Lead (QIL) Program is a 9-month training course run by the ACHS Improvement Academy, supporting participants in implementing quality improvement projects within their own organisations.
Mr Arun Govind, Project Consultant, participant in the program, worked on a project, ‘Improving Report Turnaround Time and Reducing Patient Wait Time for Radiology Department, American Mission Hospital,’ at the American Mission Hospital in Bahrain.
Established in 1903, the American Mission Hospital is an independent not-for-profit hospital, recognised by ACHS International standards and accreditation programs.
Diagnostic imaging plays a vital role in patient care, but delays in report delivery and long waiting times for appointments can hinder timely treatment. At American Mission Hospital, patient feedback highlighted these challenges, leading to decreased satisfaction and operational inefficiencies.
Two major challenges were identified within the radiology department: delayed report turnaround times for Computed Tomography (CT), ultrasound (USG), and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), as well as prolonged patient wait times for USG appointment.
The goals were:
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To increase the report turnaround times for CT, USG, and MRI from 65% to above 80% within a one-year period (March 2021 to April 2022).
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To reduce the average waiting time for USG appointments from four days to one day, addressing patient dissatisfaction highlighted in a National Patient Survey.
Strategies to Enhance Compliance and Reduce Waiting Times
A comprehensive analysis was conducted to identify root causes of the delays, encompassing including workflow inefficiencies, staffing constraints and equipment availability.
Improving turnaround times Compliance for CT, MRI, and USG
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Prioritising Reporting: The team initially focused on prioritising reporting for CT, MRI, and USG scans, which boosted compliance to 87%. However, this approach caused delays in other areas, highlighting the need for a balanced strategy.
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Technology Enhancements: Issues like dictaphone malfunctions and outdated diagnostic screens were resolved. Temporary outsourcing of some scans improved compliance but was not financially sustainable.
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Expanding Staffing: Hiring additional radiologists and redistributing workloads helped address delays and raised compliance to 88%. Adjusting these strategies over time ensured consistent results.
Reducing USG Appointment Waiting Times
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A visiting radiologist and expanded evening shifts were introduced, reducing waiting times from 3.64 days to 2.5 days.
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Hiring female radiologists addressed patient preferences and improved scheduling efficiency, further cutting waiting times to under two days.
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Expanding appointment slots and providing emergency coverage led to a reduction in waiting times to 1.79 days.
Driving Lasting Impact
The project achieved measurable success. Turnaround times compliance for radiology reports improved by 23%, and USG appointment waiting times decreased from 3.64 days to 1.79 days. These improvements were sustained across other imaging modalities, ensuring long-term viability.
Key factors in the project’s success included respecting patient needs by addressing cultural preferences through staffing decision, optimising workflows and redistributing workloads to eliminate bottlenecks, and ensuring well-functioning equipment.
Explore projects from QIL Program Graduates
You can read more projects like this in the QIL Projects Summary booklet undertaken by QIL Program 2021-2023 participants over the course of our 9-month program.
The booklet contains summaries of real work-based improvement projects across various healthcare categories including acute healthcare, community, drug and alcohol services, partnering with consumers and more. The Project Summaries 2021-2023 booklet is available for viewing here.
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Our next QIL Training Program will start in February 2025. Click here to view full details
