title: Workflow efficiency of two 1.5 T MR scanners with and without an automated user interface for head examinations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Workflow efficiency and workload of radiological technologists (RTs) were compared in head examinations performed with two 1.5 T magnetic resonance (MR) scanners equipped with or without an automated user interface called "day optimizing throughput" (Dot) workflow engine.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-four patients with known intracranial pathology were examined with a 1.5 T MR scanner with Dot workflow engine (Siemens MAGNETOM Aera) and with a 1.5 T MR scanner with conventional user interface (Siemens MAGNETOM Avanto) using four standardized examination protocols. The elapsed time for all necessary work steps, which were performed by 11 RTs within the total examination time, was compared for each examination at both MR scanners. The RTs evaluated the user-friendliness of both scanners by a questionnaire. Normality of distribution was checked for all continuous variables by use of the Shapiro-Wilk test. Normally distributed variables were analyzed by Student's paired t-test, otherwise Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare means.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total examination time of MR examinations performed with Dot engine was reduced from 24:53 to 20:01 minutes (P < .001) and the necessary RT intervention decreased by 61% (P < .001). The Dot engine's automated choice of MR protocols was significantly better assessed by the RTs than the conventional user interface (P = .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to this preliminary study, the Dot workflow engine is a time-saving user assistance software, which decreases the RTs' effort significantly and may help to automate neuroradiological examinations for a higher workflow efficiency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, D-45122 Essen, Germany. christoph.moenninghoff@uk-essen.de
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moenninghoff
authors.forename: Lale
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Umutlu
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kloeters
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ringelstein
authors.forename: Mark E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Ladd
authors.forename: Antje
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sombetzki
authors.forename: Thomas C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Lauenstein
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Forsting
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schlamann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D004526:Efficiency; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006257:Head / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D057188:Workflow