title: A filmless radiology department in a full digital regional hospital: quantitative evaluation of the increased quality and efficiency.
abstract: Reggio Emilia hospital installed Picture Archiving and Communications Systems (PACS) as the final step towards a completely digital clinical environment completing the HIS/EMR and 1,400 web/terminals for patient information access. Financial benefits throughout the hospital were assessed upfront and measured periodically. Key indicators (radiology exam turnaround time, number of radiology procedures performed, inpatients length of stay before and after the PACS implementation, etc.) were analyzed and values were statistically tested to assess workflow and productivity improvements. The hospital went "filmless" in 28 weeks. Between the half of 2004 and the respective period in 2003, overall Radiology Department productivity increased by 12%, TAT improved by more than 60%. Timelier patient care resulted in decreased lengths of stay. Neurology alone experienced a 12% improvement in average patient stay. To quantify the impact of PACS on the average hospital stays and the expected productivity benefits to inpatient productivity were used a "high level" and a "detailed" business model. Annual financial upsides have exceeded $1.9 millions/year. A well-planned PACS deployment simplifies imaging workflow and improves patient care throughout the hospital while delivering substantial financial benefits. Staff buy-in was the key in this process and on-going training and process monitoring are a must.
authors.affiliation: Servizio di Fisica Sanitaria, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, V.le Risorgimento 80, 42100, Reggio Emilia, Italy. nitrosi.andrea@asmn.re.it
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nitrosi
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Borasi
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nicoli
authors.forename: Gino
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Modigliani
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Botti
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bertolini
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Notari
mesh_terms: D016288:Computer Terminals; D003200:Computer User Training; D017046:Cost Savings; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003943:Diagnostic Techniques, Neurological; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D005376:Financial Management / Q000191:economics; D006751:Hospital Information Systems; D006767:Hospitals, District / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine; D020407:Internet; D007558:Italy; D007902:Length of Stay; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D011873:Radiology Information Systems / Q000458:organization & administration; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures; D013997:Time Factors; D017749:Total Quality Management; D014941:Work Simplification; D016526:Workload