Healthcare has been impacted tremendously by shortages of workers, burnout, and an increased pressure to adopt technology despite numerous challenges. As an industry, radiology has been especially affected by these issues, and in response, the industry has started to leverage automation solutions to improve efficiency, reduce human error, and enhance the accuracy of diagnoses.
In this post, we’ll explore five ways workflow automation can improve radiology. We’ll consider:
One of the most significant advantages of automating aspects of radiology is the reduction of human error and inconsistency. Manual measurements, both in actual scans and in the quality control process creates wide variances in results, despite the machines being extremely reliable when maintained properly. By simply doing something different than another radiology tech, a technologist introduces subtle alterations to the results of scans. Automation eliminates human error and inconsistency, making it possible to get extremely accurate data that results in better images and better outcomes.
As an example, Enzee can consistently automate the quality control measurements in images, which can significantly improve the accuracy of diagnoses. This is because one tech might position either the test object or measurement location slightly differently than another, introducing a variance that shouldn’t exist. AI can look at the optimal placement of an object in the QC process and then adjust images that might have been positioned slightly off from that optimal placement to produce consistent results.
Radiology workflow automation eliminates tedious and repetitive tasks, and frees up time for radiologists and technologists to focus on patient care. Automating the performance of quality control testing and data input allows radiologists to complete tests faster and move on to patient care. This has benefits not just to the individual tech, but also to patients who get a more personal healthcare experience, and ultimately to the department, since automation saves time and allows for more patients to be seen in a day.
Rescans happen when the medical images taken are inadequate or have errors, resulting in a redo of the entire process. Radiology workflow automation can reduce the number of rescans required by improving the accuracy of image capture. Additionally, automating required quality control tests ensures that medical equipment is in proper working condition, reducing the likelihood of having to repeat tests.
Automating repetitive tasks, such as quality control testing, reduces staff burnout by eliminating or accelerating tedious tasking. Things like filling out insurance forms, entering QC test results, and assembling data for inspection all take away from time spent with patients and also contribute to the frustration and stress that have become synonymous with working in the radiology department.
Offering staff ways to more efficiently handle mundane and tedious tasks improves work satisfaction and helps hospitals and clinics reduce staff turnover.
Automating radiology quality control ensures that all records are managed effectively, improving inspections. Managing records that show the performance of medical equipment and quality control testing is essential for compliance with regulatory agencies. Radiology workflow automation makes it easier to keep records up to date, organized, and easily accessible.
Instead of leaving an inspector in a room with a pile of binders, automating the quality control tests and quality assurance processes means that the resultant data is in one place, is digitized, and is accessible - even from a remote location. Though most inspections still occur in person, inspectors are increasingly accustomed to receiving digital records that make their jobs easier and faster, resulting in less frustration on both sides and less stress overall.
Radiology workflow automation offers several benefits, including reducing human error, freeing up time for patient care, reducing rescans, improving staff burnout, and simplifying inspections. More critically, automation can improve the accuracy of medical diagnoses and enhance patient care, which is the reason most professionals entered the healthcare field in the first place.
Radiology has been impacted tremendously by shortages of workers, burnout, and an increased pressure to adopt technology despite numerous challenges. We explore five ways workflow automation can improve radiology.
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In the near future, Enzee’s platform will provide the same features from radiology and radiation oncology to the entire hospital equipment QA program and also connect to existing compliance and test tracking apps, providing a holistic picture of a facility’s compliance and quality across personnel and departments.