The field of radiology encompasses  X-ray, Computed Tomography (CT) , Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Ultrasound, Radiation Therapy and Nuclear Medicine Imaging Techniques. We’ll look at applications of Lean and Six Sigma in radiology and finish with a video tour of an interventional radiology suite.

Implementing Lean Six Sigma Methodologies in a Radiology Department

In a project report titled “Implementing Lean Six Sigma Methodologies in the Radiology Department of a Hospital Healthcare System” authors Jamie Workman-Germann and Heather (Woodward) Hagg discuss the use of Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to achieve objectives to improve the key performance

indicators directly tied to patient and physician satisfaction, improve and streamline CT/MRI processes, to increase the capacity to perform CT/MRI services, and to regain a portion of the referral base lost to outpatient diagnostic centers.

The project report includes:

  • Problem Statement
  • Goal Statement
  • Project Scope
  • Obstacles
  • Project Objectives
  • Process Map
  • Sample Timeline with Value-Added, Non-Value Added, and Business Value Added
  • Sample Data
  • Outpatient CT End to Read Time

Copy and paste the following link into your browser to read the paper.

Using Lean Six Sigma to Evaluate MRI Acquisition Workflow

In a case study titled “Evaluation of MRI Acquisition Workflow With Lean Six Sigma Method: Case Study of Liver and Knee Examinations” authors Christopher J. Roth and others discuss their investigation to assess workflow for medical imaging studies, specifically comparing liver and knee MRI examinations by use of the Lean Six Sigma methodologic framework.

The case study includes:

  • Representations of Total MRI Time
  • Extremity and Abdominal MRI Experienced Workflow
  • Value Stream Maps for Knee and Liver MRIs
  • Extremity and Abdominal Business Value-Added Time Events
  • Non-Value-Added Time Events in Extremity and Abdominal MRI
  • Comprehensive Knee and Liver Protocols

You can read the case study here. 

Improving Efficiency of Interventional Radiology Using Lean Six Sigma

In a paper titled “Improving Efficiency of Interventional Service by Lean Six Sigma” authors Li Zhang and others discuss the application of Lean Six Sigma to address the bottlenecks in patient flow.

The paper includes:

  • Current Value Stream Map
  • Comparison of Process Cycle Time in the Two Project Phases
  • Relationship of Number of Requests Waiting, Expected Length of Delay, Interventional Radiology Suite Utilization, and Service Level

You can access the paper here.

Tour an Interventional Radiology Suite

In this video from Philips, Dr. Atul Gupta, takes us through an interventional radiology suite.

You can watch the video here.