Evaluation of success factors in a radiology department
Poster No.:
C-1897
Congress:
ECR 2012
Type:
Scientific Paper
Authors:
T. A. Alten, H. Reifenrath, H. Rosenthal, F. Wacker, A.
Tecklenburg; Hannover/DE
Keywords:
Management, Professional issues, Audit and standards, Costeffectiveness, Efficacy studies
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2012/C-1897
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Purpose
As a highly frequented provider of medical diagnosis and therapeutic interventions,
radiology departments play a key role in hospital organization. In order to create efficient
and successful working processes, identifying potential success factors for suppliers as
well as customers seems crucial. To the authors' knowledge, an analysis of success
factors focusing on radiology departments has not been published yet.
In this study, we evaluated the Radiology Department of Hannover Medical School for
potential success factors, as well as patient and staff satisfaction between May and July
2011.
Methods and Materials
In order to systematically analyze success factors, patient satisfaction and staff
satisfaction an observational study was performed using different techniques of collecting
and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data.
To familiarize with the field of interest, five semi-standardized expert interviews focusing
on success stimulating and success impeding factors were carried out and protocolled
by two observers. Expert interviews were evaluated by two independent observers. The
main categories staff, structure and processes were divided into twelve subcategories
(Fig.2). Those potential success factors were further investigated in the subsequently
performed orientated observation.
The observation consisted of 3 phases, using 4 independent observers. The first
phase served as a general observation (orientational overview), the second phase as a
concerted inquiry of potential success factors (directed exploration) and verification of
the previously observed success factors was performed in a third phase (conformational
phase). Protocols were reviewed by two persons regarding potential success factors. If
a factor was identified by both it was valued as a strong indicator for a success factor. If
a factor was identified in only one protocol it was valued as a weak indicator. Different
phases of observation were aggregated (Fig.3). If aggregated results were >75% the
observation was evaluated as probable success factor. If aggregated results exceeded
50% the observation was regarded as possible success factor. Probable (>74.9%) and
possible (74.9 > 50%) success factors were identified based on agreement in aggregated
analysis.
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Staff satisfaction towards working conditions and potential success factors were
emphasized in staff interviews. 64 employees were asked to fill out a questionnaire with
64 items. 39 persons (61%) participated in the survey. Statistical analysis was performed
using an unpaired t-test.
During the investigation period, 50 patients were given a standardized protocol and were
asked to rate factors in the radiology department concerning their importance (1=very
important, 5 = not important).
Images for this section:
Fig. 1: Fig. 1
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Fig. 2: Fig. 2
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Fig. 3: Fig. 3
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Results
In all analysis, expertise and flexibility proved to be the most important success factors
and were higher rated than the latest examination technology. The observational study
identified most success factors (Probable success factors [5/6], possible success factors
[3/5]) in the field 'staff'. Other success factors related to the categories structure (n=2) and
processes (n=1). Interdisciplinary cooperation showed to be an additional success factor
according to leadership personal. Patients emphasized the examination atmosphere and
the network between the involved departments.
Conclusion
Assessment of organizations such as hospital departments are usually performed based
on hard facts and numbers. However, soft factors such as satisfaction of both, patients
as well as employees and the understanding of success factors are of similar importance
when it comes to process improvement. Our data pool provides important factors that will
help to guide and evaluate the effects of process optimization in a radiology department
setting.
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Personal Information
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