Process mapping in screening mammography

Successful screening mammography programs aim to screen large numbers of wo men efficiently and inexpensively. Development of an effective screening ma mmography program requires skilled personnel, solid infrastructure, and a r obust computer system. A group of physicians, technologists, computer suppo rt personnel, and administrators carefully analyzed a growing screening mam mography program as a series of steps, starting with the request for the ex amination and ending with the receipt of a hard-copy consultation. The anal ysis involved a detailed examination of every step and every possible outco me in the screening process. The information gained through process mapping may be used for identification of systemic and personnel problems, allocat ion of resources, modification of workplace architecture, and design of com puter networks, Process mapping is helpful for those involved in designing and improving screening mammography programs. Viewing a process (ie, obtain ing a screening mammogram) as a series of steps may allow for the identific ation of inefficient components that may limit growth. Copyright (C) 1999 b y W.B. Saunders Company.