It will be more critical than ever during these challenging times to take radiology workflow productivity and efficiency to its highest levels. The benefits of automated, integrated workflow are well documented and well understood – to keep the existing referring physician and patient base satisfied with great service and high quality scanning and reports; to drive in new referrals and exams; and to squeeze unnecessary costs out of the operation. The right RIS can help overcome key workflow, communications, and integration issues.

In this outline summary, and even deeper in the linked white paper, we will discuss how hospital radiology departments and diagnostic imaging centers can overcome their key challenges, as well as outline the RIS capabilities that will help drive revenue, and profitability

The benefit of an integrated RIS/PACS

PACS systems are incorporating traditional RIS functionality and the lines are getting blurred as to which system does which. Ultimately, what the end user needs is what the industry has been chanting for 10 or more years – a single platform to manage radiology information and image workflow and distribution. Because the systems and vendors have evolved at different stages and several acquisitions have left vendors maintaining legacy technology while continuing to develop new products, it has been challenging to achieve this. For now, the best options are companies that offer integrated, single desktop RIS/PACS solutions, where the informa¬tion and workflow is presented and managed in a unified fashion.

The power and value of an advanced RIS should never be underestimated. It has the ability to make significant impro¬vements to productivity and revenue generation, which together, drive increased profits.

How a RIS drives revenue, productivity and profitability

It’s not so much specific key features that make a RIS such a valuable strategic tool, but the collective sum of all the features combined. How well a RIS digitally automates and integrates real-world radiology workflow results in the reduction of manual, paper and duplicate processes that create inefficiencies and errors. Also important is the ease of use and how simply a RIS provides access to information in as few clicks as possible.

Increased equipment utilization through scheduling optimization

An advanced scheduling software tool combined with best practice scheduling operations is one of the most critical factors in generating radiology revenue by ensuring that the equipment is utilized to its maximum capacity. Some key features include centralized scheduling and an appointment book which is easy to set up with the appropriate amount of time for each procedure by modality, location etc.

Features that help improve service to patients

For first-time imaging patients, the process can be very intimidating, not to mention the stress that comes with worrying about their diagnosis and treatment. You can reduce their anxiety by providing information about how to prepare for the exam, explain the procedure and modality, and communicate when you expect the radiologist to forward results to their referring physician. Tools and tracking features in a RIS can help you ensure patient wait times and report turnaround times are reduced and provide preparation instructions and procedure background information so the patient will be ready for the exam.

Features that help improve service to referring physicians

You can drive a steadier stream of orders into your imaging facility by ensuring that your referring physicians and medical staff are satisfied with the quality and timeliness of reports and consultations, accessibility of reports and images, speed of patient scheduling and quality of patient care. An advanced RIS enables the imaging facility to provide valuable services to referrers including informative reports, fast report turnaround times, referring physician portal and integration of reports into the ordering physician’s EMR.

Integration across multiple systems

The lack of integration between RIS and existing IT systems both at a desktop and backend level is still one of the top challenges indicated by imaging facilities and one of the key drivers for integrated RIS/PACS purchases today. The operation of disparate systems results in duplicate data entry, multiple worklist management, patient safety and mismatch risks, wasted resources, longer report turnaround times and overall workflow inefficiencies. An advanced RIS will embed many of the traditional separate systems into its applications.

Productivity and utilization statistics and reporting

A RIS should include various reporting tools that let users generate a wide variety of analytical and administrative reports that provide vital decision making support to managers, allowing them to monitor and improve quality of care as well as the overall and specific productivity areas of their organization.

Proactive monitoring of key metrics

In order to be successful in today’s increasingly competitive radiology environment, you need to know about problems before they impact your operation. By defining what information must be completed at various points during the workflow and tracking these key metrics you can reduce errors, improve service and maximize revenue capture.

For an elaboration of the topics mentioned above, please read the full white paper.

Enterprise control, Wide area radiology RIS, White Paper