Ek innovation NHS Pilot plan shows that use MRI Scanners can significantly reduce the waiting list of the patient without the requirement of additional on-site employees during the off-pack hours.
A study conducted by the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in London in collaboration with tech firm Philips found that additional 1,356 patients can be seen over a period of six months, expanding the scanner operation for 12 to 16 hours per day for five days a week.
This out-of-the-hour approach also cut the rate “not present” (DNA) rate for dramatically, a typical 5-7 percent to just 1.1 percent.
The trust reported a marked improvement in waiting time, in which 90 percent of patients are now receiving their scans within three weeks of referral, and mentioned the ability to train more employees on machines.
This efficiency is largely responsible for the “Radiology Operations Command Center” technology. The system allows experienced radiographers to provide distance assistance to on-site teams, eliminating the requirement of additional employees physically on machines.
Through audio, video and chat functions, these senior radiographers can operate scanners more junior colleagues, with live feeds as they were in the room.
The main principle is to take advantage of the expertise of NHS imaging employees in an entire department, rather than limited them to single scanners, which adapt the resource allocation.
Many trainees can also receive training from more senior employees once.
The pilot included simple examinations in the evening, which means that more complex patients were still seen during the day of day.
Imaging Practice Educator, Philip Gregory said: “NHS radiology workforce is trained at the highest possible level, but in a busy environment, the best use of efficient employees for training and education in busy environment can be a challenge.
“Thanks to the Radiology Operations Command Center, we have almost doubled the number of radiology staff that we can train.
“The option of viewing multiple scanners on many sites is unique. It has unlocked fast, safe, efficient training on the highest quality.”
Filips UK and Ireland Managing Director Mark Lftwich said: “In England, we are seeing the increasing shortage of clinical radiographers – which leads to hospital bottlenecks and increases the waiting time for patient diagnosis.
“Radiographers’ possibility is likely to be able to support remote colleagues remotely, as well as through the hours seen in our pilot with Imperial College Hospital NHS Trust, can actually change the game.
“Perhaps in the future, we are running 24 hours scanners a day – but till then, we should continue to prefer digital infrastructure and workforce support within NHS to provide better care for more people in the UK.”
The President of the Royal College of Radiologist, Dr. Stephen Harden said: “Getting a scan during day time will not suit everyone.
“Offering more scans after 8PM can help people deal with backlogs that are waiting for their health to answer.
“But the increase in the number of MRI scans requires more doctors to explain them, at a time when Britain is already less than 2,000 (1,953) radiologists.
“To ensure that more scans are not equal to patients waiting for a long time to get their results, Government More radiologists need to be trained. ,
The pilot lasted from January to July this year.