Transforming Radiology Workflows: A New Model for Efficiency and Care

Radiology has been a core service line at Spectrum Healthcare Partners since our founding in 1996. Yet even with this specialty split into two geographic divisions, the Northern Radiology division receives referrals from a 250-mile territory that encompasses five counties across central and northern Maine.

Many of Spectrum’s board-certified radiologists have training in a diverse range of subspecialties. With these onsite and remote radiologists working as a team to cover most of Maine’s top hospitals and imaging centers, a streamlined workflow is essential.

In July 2024, the Northern Radiology division at Spectrum Healthcare Partners adopted a new operational model, fulfilling a vision that had been on the wish list for years.

“For a long time, we tried to adapt our existing workflow,” says Jared Kasper, MD, managing director of the Northern Radiology division. “Whether it was adding a new contract, launching at a new site, or adjusting to shifting priorities, we made incremental changes along the way.”

This system became complicated to manage, inspiring the team to create something new. Today, this streamlined model helps meet the unique needs of Northern Radiology and the distinct challenges radiologists face, both in Maine and beyond.

Radiology Workflow Challenges

As the radiologist shortage continues, the demand for imaging keeps rising. “Before our new model, each radiologist was responsible for clearing their own list before leaving for the day,” says Dr. Kasper.

“With heavier workloads, it became impossible to log off by 5 p.m., leading to radiologists taking work home, which wasn’t sustainable long-term.”

The previous system also made turning around inpatient and emergency department exams challenging. “When radiologists were assigned to a single list or site, cases had to wait if that radiologist was busy with a procedure or other task,” adds Dr. Kasper. “We knew there had to be a better way.”

The New Model Improve Efficiency and Satisfaction

For years radiology exams have been digital, but the new system changes how they are read. Northern Radiology’s updated model pulls exams from all sites and organizes them by type rather than physical location. Both onsite radiologists and teleradiologists now access shared group worklists.

“This model allows radiologists to select the exams they are most comfortable with,” explains Dr. Kasper. “By aligning cases with their expertise, our team can focus on providing the highest quality care for patients and providers.”

This change helps improve turnaround times in the emergency department. “With shared access to exams, we no longer rely on one specific radiologist,” Dr. Kasper explains. “Both remote and onsite radiologists can now quickly handle urgent and inpatient reads in a more efficient, streamlined process.”

The new model also helps tackle the challenge of an increasingly demanding industry, where heavier workloads are becoming the norm. “We now have greater flexibility in how we staff each day,” says Dr. Kasper. “Radiologists also have more control over their schedules, allowing them to approach their day in a way that supports a healthier work-life balance.”

The New Model Supports the Future of Radiology

Teleradiologists are essential to radiology practices to meet the growing demand for services. “Telerads provide flexibility beyond the traditional 8-5 schedule,” says Dr. Kasper. “They can log in, select studies they want, and read exams on their own time.”

The advanced Enterprise Imaging system supports this growing team and the new Northern Radiology model, allowing radiologists to work efficiently from anywhere.

“This is the central repository for all images across multiple service lines,” explains Yeang Chng, MD, PhD, assistant managing director of the Northern Radiology division. “It has demonstrated rock-solid reliability with only two or three short unplanned downtimes over the last year.”

This high-speed, reliable system is essential for the division as it increasingly relies on part-time teleradiologists to support onsite physicians. “Along with the vastly increased speed of image loading, our system helps radiologists increase their efficiency and speed of medical care to offset the constantly increasing image volumes,” adds Dr. Chng.

“Ultimately, this new system is a win for our radiologists,” says Dr. Kasper. “In the past, radiologists often worried about how much of their day they could focus on their subspecialty. Now, they can spend most of their time on exams where they feel most comfortable, delivering the highest level of expertise to our patients.”

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