Management in Radiology: Abstracts from the MIR 2011 Annual Meeting (September 29–30, Nice/FR)

Management in Radiology: Abstracts from the MIR 2011 Annual Meeting (September 29–30, Nice/FR) European Society of Radiology (ESR) MIR (Management in Radiology) provides a forum for education and exchange of ideas and state of the art concepts on management within Europe aimed at enhancing the contribution of Radiology to medicine. MIR addresses not only core managerial issues, but also supportive methods and techniques, especially information and communication technology. All abstracts have been presented at the MIR 2011 Annual Meeting Nice (September 29-30). MIR is a subcommittee of the Professional Organisation Committee of the European Society of Radiology (ESR). A1 – Implementation of PACS improves communication between radiologists and referring physicians as well as their perception of patient care Authors: Gabriel Bartal, Moshe Ayal, Ziv Rosenbaum, Arnon Makori; 1) Kfar Saba/IL, 2) Tel Aviv/IL. Corresponding author: Gabriel Bartal (e-mail: gbartal@ gmail.com) Abstract Purpose: Clalit Health Services (CHS) is the largest HMO in Israel (3.8 million members) that comprises 11 hospitals and 1,300 outpatient clinics. In 2010, a state-of-the-art Webdeployed PACS was implemented at Meir MC as a primary site. Prior to implementation, the hospital used a CD/DVDprinter system as a storage media and a viewer. The use of a legacy DOS-based RIS was continued. Our aim was to assess the benefits of the state-of-the-art PACS implementation process on:Purpose: Clalit Health Services (CHS) is the largest HMO in Israel (3.8 million members) that comprises 11 hospitals and 1,300 outpatient clinics. In 2010, a state-of-the-art Webdeployed PACS was implemented at Meir MC as a primary site. Prior to implementation, the hospital used a CD/DVDprinter system as a storage media and a viewer. The use of a legacy DOS-based RIS was continued. Our aim was to assess the benefits of the state-of-the-art PACS implementation process on: 1. Viewing and image processing 2. Radiologists’ perceptions of service 3. Referrals’ perceptions of service. Methods and materials: Two anonymous questionnaires on the PACS implementation were distributed among the hospital physicians; 18/18 radiologists (11 attending and 7 residents) responded twice (March 2010 and March 2011) to a validated 1–7 Likert scale. In addition, 71/106 clinical department staff in July 2010 and 31/52 clinical department staff in March 2011 responded to a referring physician’s questionnaire. We hypothesised that cutting-edge PACS may provide better communication and teamwork between radiologists and referring physicians, which would result in an improved perception of the healthcare service provided. Results: We found stable referrals’ satisfaction from the radiology service (5 [4, 6]; from 5 [4, 5], #7). Interaction with radiology staff (radiologists, office, radiographers) has improved (from 4 to 5 or 6 [US, paediatric radiology], #7). Referrals offered more extensive information to radiologists (4 [4, 4]; from 3 [2, 4], #5) related to the usage of PACS. Decreased redundant study requests, called by referrals {2 [2, 2.5](seldom); from: 3 [2, 4] (half the amount), #5}. Supported by the radiologists’ view of redundant study requests: {2 [2, 3] (seldom), #5}. Service provided by referrals has gone up somewhat (6 [5, 6.5]; from 5.5 [5, 6], #7). It improved self-selection of appropriate radiology studies (4 [3, 4]; from: 2 [2, 3], #5). We observed decrease in verbal consultations with radiologists {3 [2, 4]; from 4 [2, 4] (most occasions), #5}. Per pathological cases it stayed unchanged (4, #5). Supported by radiologists’ level of discussion versus referrals: (3 [3, 4]; from 4 [3.5, 5] #5). Satisfaction from PACS at the referring department was high (5 [4, 6], #7). The level of PACS usage at the referring department was very high (6 [5, 7], #7). Conclusion: PACS implementation significantly improves communication and collaboration between the radiologists and referring physicians. Management of PACS implementation can be based on validated questionnaires that allow realtime monitoring of the entire process. Cautious, but decisive management of the change, together with sophisticated tools, are a key to the success. Based on our results, we are in the process of smooth implementation throughout the CHS group. Insights Imaging (2011) 2 (Suppl 3):S453–S461 DOI 10.1007/s13244-011-0141-0