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Bruce Reiner

Publications and source records attributed to Bruce Reiner.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

SCAR Radiologic Technologist Survey: analysis of technologist workforce and staffing.

One of the greatest dilemmas facing medical imaging departments today is the worsening personnel crisis in the radiologic technologist (RT) workforce. As the volume and complexity of medical imaging studies continues to increase, an unprecedented imbalance exists between RT supply and demand. A number of etiologic factors have been postulated to contribute to this RT shortage including decreasing morale, perceived inadequacies in compensation, decreasing number of training programs, and limitations in the career ladder. Previous studies have cited improved technologist productivity as imaging departments successfully transition from film-based to filmless operation. This study was undertaken to address the impact of digital technologies (information systems, PACS, digital radiography) on technologist productivity, in an attempt to determine whether these technologies can be used to positively affect the existing RT workforce imbalance. A total of 112 facilities participated in this nationwide study, with representation of imaging providers that paralleled the demographic profile of the marketplace as a whole. Survey results indicate the existing RT staffing shortage is greatest within academic and rural-based hospitals and is most severe in the area of general radiography, which accounts for 65-70% of imaging department volumes. For general radiography alone, respondents report an average shortage of 2 RT full-time equivalents (FTE's) per institution, when comparing the number of budgeted RT FTE's versus the actual number of RT FTE's. Preliminary results indicate that at this time, RT staffing shortages are not affected by the presence or absence of digital information technologies. Additional research is planned through a five-year longitudinal data collection, to better delineate the complex relationship that exists between implementation of digital technologies and RT staffing.

Data Collection↗
PubMed2002

Workflow optimization: current trends and future directions.

In an attempt to maximize productivity within the medical imaging department, increasing importance and attention is being placed on workflow. Workflow is the process of analyzing individual steps that occur during a single event, such as the performance of an MRI exam. The primary focus of workflow optimization within the imaging department is automation and task consolidation, however, a number of other factors should be considered including the stochastic nature of the workload, availability of human resources, and the specific technologies being employed. The purpose of this paper is to determine the complex relationship that exists between information technology and the radiologic technologist, in an attempt to determine how workflow can be optimized to improve technologist productivity. This relationship takes on greater importance as more imaging departments are undergoing the transition from film-based to filmless operation. A nationwide survey was conducted to compare technologist workflow in film-based and filmless operations, for all imaging modalities. The individual tasks performed by technologists were defined, along with the amount of time allocated to these tasks. The index of workflow efficiency was determined to be the percentage of overall technologist time allocated to image acquisition, since this is the primary responsibility of the radiologic technologist. Preliminary analysis indicates technologist workflow in filmless operation is enhanced when compared with film-based operation, for all imaging modalities. The specific tasks that require less technologist time in filmless operation are accessing data and retake rates (due to both technical factors and lost exams). Surprisingly, no significant differences were reported for the task of image processing, when comparing technologist workflow in film-based and filmless operations. Additional research is planned to evaluate the potential workflow gains achievable through workflow optimization software, improved systems integration, and automation of advanced image processing techniques.

Efficiency, Organizational↗
PubMed2002

Changes in technologist productivity with implementation of an enterprisewide PACS.

The purpose of this report is to determine what effect filmless operation has on technologist productivity when compared with traditional film-based operation. Retrospective data on technologist productivity was collected from the study institution before and after implementation of PACS using workload reports and payroll records. Departmentwide technologist productivity was defined as the number of examinations per full-time equivalent (exams/FTE) and correlated with local and nationwide standards operating in traditional film-based operations. During film-based operation, technologist productivity was comparable between the study institution and nationwide standards, allowing for the unique examination volumes and modality mix. After implementation of a large-scale PACS, technologist productivity was found to increase 34% above that of national standards and 48% that of the local control site. Implementation of an enterprisewide PACS offers the potential to significantly improve departmentwide technologist productivity when compared with traditional film-based operation.

Efficiency↗
PubMed2002

Medical Image Resource Center 2002: an update on the RSNA's Medical Image Resource Center.

The Radiological Society of North America has launched a project called the Medical Image Resource Center (MIRC) to establish a community of Web-based libraries of imaging information, including teaching files, other educational materials, and research data. This system would enable radiologic professionals to create and publish such materials more easily and to gain more convenient access to new and existing materials. An overview of the project, a brief summary of the overall requirements and objectives, and a brief description of the progress and ongoing plans for MIRC are presented.

Humans↗
PubMed2002

Work flow redesign: the key to success when using PACS.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective is to emphasize the importance of work flow redesign, rather than filmless operation itself, to achieve cost reduction and improvement in productivity with picture archiving and communication systems (PACS). CONCLUSION: Our 8-year experience with PACS shows that the greatest benefit of the transition to a digital system has been the ability to use it as a tool to reengineer overall work flow, both in the imaging department and throughout the health care enterprise.

Efficiency, Organizational↗