The use of an interactive computerized daily schedule in a busy interventional radiology practice increases efficiency

Purpose: The effect on efficiency of patient care in a busy academic interventional radiology practice was studied by the analysis of procedure times both before and after the implementation of a computerized interactive daily schedule. Procedure start and end times were retrospectively collected from the department's quality assurance database for two identical 6-month periods, representing the time before and after the deployment of the software. The delay in the start of the first case, the time between cases, and the time required to complete each day's work were compared for the two periods. Results: The average time of delay between cases was reduced after the implementation of the software (p < 0.025). More total cases were performed during the period of time after the implementation of the software, resulting in a greater work relative value unit production. Although the average number of cases performed per day was greater after the software was in use (p < 0.03), the average amount of time required to complete the day's work was not significantly changed (p = 0.08). There was no apparent effect on the average delay of the start of the day's first case (p = 0.34). Conclusion: The use of a computerized interactive daily schedule has a positive effect on departmental efficiency by allowing more cases to be performed without lengthening the workday.