File management in a radiology department

OBJECTIVE, The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of f ilm manage ment in a large urban teaching hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. For 5 days in March 1998, individuals seeking access to imaging studies performed in the radiology department of a large urban h ospital were questioned about their activities and were physically followed in an effort to characterize the efficiency and effectiveness of the depar tment in servicing individuals not employed by the department. Activities i n the department were recorded, and the times to visit completion and the f ailure rates were assessed. RESULTS. Of the 381 visitors to the department who were followed, 321 were hospital employees and 186 were physicians. The average total time spent in the department was 4 min, during which 2 min were spent viewing images or obtaining consultation. Physicians were in the department an average of onl y 7 min with 3 min for consultation and image viewing. During the 381 visit s, we monitored 753 separate transactions, 693 of which were completed succ essfully. We found no instances in which a physician indicated that a patie nt's treatment would be delayed or altered because of film mismanagement an d only one instance in which it was suggested that a study may have to be r epeated. CONCLUSION, This study found a high level of efficiency and effectiveness i n file room operations.