Development and Deployment of an Emergency Department Radiology Dashboard to Improve Communication and Transparency of Radiologic Imaging and Report Status

Abstract

Purpose

The status of radiology examinations affects the flow of patients through the emergency department (ED). Yet this information is not readily available to ED physicians, nurses, and staff members (collectively referred to as ED staff members) or patients. The aim of this study was to improve ED workflow by providing real-time information about the status of radiology reports to ED staff members.

Methods

A dashboard displaying real-time information on the status of pending radiology examinations as extracted from the electronic medical record and radiology information system was developed for display in the ED. An algorithm based on historical trends was developed for predicting expected turnaround times (TATs). Focus groups, surveys, and dashboard use data were used to gather feedback and understand utility.

Results

The ED radiology dashboard was successfully deployed to four EDs within the health system. The dashboard received an average of 9,397 unique views per week the first year and 802 views per week in the following 2 years after deployment. Most examinations had TATs better than the estimated time, and fewer than 1% had TATs greater than 2 hours from the estimated time. No differences were found between pre- and postsurvey opinion results.

Conclusions

A web-based dashboard that displays radiologic imaging study status is a low-cost, high-yield method to improve communication between radiology and ED staff members.