By Marianne Matthews
Find out how providers really feel about quality. Check out the results of a recent Axis Imaging News survey.
If you’re like many radiology providers, improving quality at your institution is proving to be a tall order. That’s one key finding of a recent online survey Axis Imaging News conducted with our readers. When it comes to quality initiatives, good intentions are there, but other essential elements—like appropriate funding—are often lacking. We received feedback from 173 radiology providers about the progress they’ve made as well as the hurdles they face.
Here’s Who We Heard From…
Fifty-four percent of survey respondents told us they are Radiology Administrators or Managers. The majority of respondents—60%–work at hospitals.
What is your title?
54% Radiology Administrator/Manager
24% Radiologist; Chief; Group Practice President; Section Chief
5% CEO/President; COO/VP; CFO/Director of Finance
1% CIO; IT/IS Manager
15% Other
What is your practice type?
38% Small/Community Hospital
22% Large/Academic Hospital
15% Private Practice
13% Imaging Center
9% Other
Front Burner Initiatives
Providers told us they have a lot cookin’ when it comes to quality. 39% said Appropriateness/Decision Support was their number-one ranking front burner initiative.
What are the key projects related to radiology quality that your organization plans to focus on in 2014?
29% Radiation dose reduction
26% Appropriateness/decision support tools
19% Peer review
13% Radiology analytics
8% Specialization
2% Other
What is your group’s top priority when it comes to improving quality in 2014?
39% Appropriateness/decision support tools
19% Radiation dose reduction
19% Peer review
8% Radiology analytics
5% Specialization
8% Other
Too Few on the Quality Team
It takes a team to meet today’s quality challenges. Even so, 79% of survey respondents said they have only 5 or fewer full time employees dedicated to quality improvement in their organization.
How many full time employees (FTEs) are dedicated to quality improvement in your radiology practice/department?
40% 1-5
39% None
14% 6-10
5% Other
Show Me the Money…And More!
Respondents told us they need financial resources to pull off their quality programs. 42% cited a lack of funding as their organization’s biggest impediment to improving quality.
Is your practice/hospital planning to invest financially in quality in 2014 in any of the following areas?
31% Accreditation
30% Technology
17% Analytics tools
6% Consultants
3% Additional FTEs
9% Other
What do you believe is your organization’s biggest impediment when it comes to improving quality in radiology?
42% Lack of funding
19% Lack of leadership/a champion
14% Our culture/fear of punishment for admitting mistakes
12% Lack of expertise
10% Other
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