The efficacy of a continuous quality improvement (CQI) method in a radiological department - Comparison with non-CQI control material

Objective: To study the efficacy of continuous quality improvement (CQI) co mpared to ordinary management in an on-duty radiology department. Material and Methods: Because of complaints regarding delivery of on-duty r adiological services, an improvement was initiated simultaneously at two ho spitals, at the HUCH (Helsinki University Central Hospital) utilising the C QI-method, and at the OUH (Oulu University Hospital) with a traditional man agement process. For the CQI project, a team was formed to evaluate the pro cess with flow-charts, cause and effect diagrams, Pareto analysis and contr ol charts. Interventions to improve the process were based on the results o f these analyses. Results: The team at the HUCH implemented the following changes: A radiolog ist was added to the evening shift between 15:00-22:00 and a radiographer w as moved from the morning shift to 15:00-22:00. A clear improvement was ach ieved in the turn-around time, but in the follow-up some of the gains were lost. Only minimal changes were achieved at the OUH, where the intervention was based on traditional management processes. Conclusion: CQI was an effective method for improving the quality of perfor mance of a radiology department compared with ordinary management methods, but some of this improvement may be subsequently lost without a continuous measurement system.