title: Efficiency analysis of a multi-specialty telemedicine service.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this project was to assess case turn-around times for store-and-forward and real-time video consultations in the Arizona Telemedicine Program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five components contributing to total case turn-around time were analyzed. Each parameter was submitted to statistical analysis and compared for store-and-forward and real-time sessions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Turn-around for real-time are longer than for store-and-forward sessions. Real-time sessions take longer, from when the consulting clinician is contacted to the time the case is reviewed. This is compounded by the fact that real-time sessions sometimes need to be rescheduled. For both types of consults, the time to deliver the final report is the longest segment of the total turn-around time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Several factors contribute to case turn-around times. By identifying and analyzing each contributing factor, it is possible to revise consult protocols to improve efficiency.
authors.affiliation: Arizona Telemedicine Program, University of Arizona and Department of Radiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Krupinski
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Webster
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dolliver
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Weinstein
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Lopez
mesh_terms: D001130:Arizona; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D006801:Humans; D019114:Remote Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013997:Time Factors