Clinical operations management in radiology.

Providing radiology services is a complex and technically demanding enterprise in which the application of operations management (OM) tools can play a substantial role in process management and improvement. This paper considers the benefits of an OM process in a radiology setting. Available techniques and concepts of OM are addressed, along with gains and benefits that can be derived from these processes.

Motivation and compensation in academic radiology.

As radiologists are increasingly faced with the challenges of rising demand for imaging services and staff shortages, the implementation of incentive plans in radiology is gaining importance. A key factor to be considered while developing an incentive plan is the strategic goal of the department. In academic radiology, management should decide whether it will reward research and teaching productivity in addition to clinical productivity.

Practice management performance indicators in academic radiology departments.

Purpose: To determine the management performance indicators most frequently utilized in academic radiology departments in the United States.

Materials And Methods: This investigation met the criteria for an exemption from institutional review board approval. A cross-sectional study in which a validated national survey was sent to members of the Society of Chairmen of Academic Radiology Departments (SCARD) was conducted.

Hepatic capsular retraction in metastatic carcinoma of the breast occurring with increase or decrease in size of subjacent metastasis.

Objective: We evaluated the prevalence and significance of hepatic capsular retraction in hepatic metastases from breast cancer and correlated these with metastatic number, size, change in size over time, breast tumor histopathology, chemotherapeutic regimen, and tumor-receptor status.

Materials And Methods: Abdominal CT scans of 200 consecutive women with breast carcinoma (mean age, 57 years; range, 33-81 years), obtained over a 7-month period, were retrospectively reviewed. Fifty-eight women had hepatic metastases.

CT features with pathologic correlation of acute gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease after bone marrow transplantation in adults.

Objective: This study was conducted to describe the CT features of acute gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease in adults and to correlate these findings with the pathologic grades of disease severity.

Materials And Methods: Patients (n = 22) with a history of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation and pathologically confirmed acute gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease underwent contrast-enhanced (n = 13) and unenhanced (n = 9) CT. CT scans were retrospectively evaluated for intestinal and extraintestinal abnormalities by two radiologists who were unaware of the biopsy results.

Radiology scheduling: preferences of users of radiologic services and impact on referral base and extension.

Rationale And Objectives: To study end-user attitudes and preferences with respect to radiology scheduling systems and to assess implications for retention and extension of the referral base. A study of the institution's historical data indicated reduced satisfaction with the process of patient scheduling in recent years.

Methods: Sixty physicians who referred patients to a single, large academic radiology department received the survey.