Effect of implementing a computerized system for bone mineral density storage and report preparation on result turnaround time and savings in cost, time, and space.

Objective: To evaluate whether introduction of a densitometry workflow, data-storage, and reporting software system would result in streamlined workflow with fewer expenses and quicker result turnaround time.

Methods: BoneStation was implemented March 30, 2009, in a large, urban, tertiary referral center performing more than 6000 bone mineral density studies annually at 3 different geographic sites. The times of scan acquisition, report preparation, and final signature in the online medical record were recorded, and the delays from scan to report and from scan to final signature in the online medical record were calculated for each patient during 2 representative weeks before (n = 274) and 2 weeks after (n = 235) implementation of BoneStation.

Results: Use of BoneStation reduced time from scan to report from 2.11 +/- 0.16 days to 0.46 +/- 0.05 days (P<.001). BoneStation saved our practice $8.94 per scan, while costing only $3 per scan, resulting in net savings. Considering that the total reimbursement from Medicare in 2010 for dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry is projected to be $55.44, this constitutes cost savings of 10.7% of the total reimbursement.

Conclusion: The introduction of a specialized electronic medical system for data storage and reporting reduced costs and improved result turnaround time in a densitometry practice.