Abstract
Introduction
Improved efficiency is necessary to deliver cost effective services in today's healthcare environment. Details of how a vascular sonographer's (SG) time is allocated during an average working day have not been adequately described previously. Our objective was to provide insight into the SG average day, and therefore investigate ways at becoming more efficient. This improved efficiency may not only result in cost savings, but better patient and SG satisfaction.
Methods
SG at two hospitals affiliated with our university (Hospital A and B) tracked their activities daily during five consecutive weekdays. Scan time, delays in patient arrival, preparation for the test, computer entry, lunch breaks, and administrative time (patient and nonpatient related) were logged.
Results
Eleven SG performed 113 tests at Hospital A and 60 at Hospital B. On average, there were 5.4 full time equivalent (FTE) and 1.8 FTE SG working daily at Hospitals A and B respectively. Hospital A performed 62 portable studies, Hospital B performed none. Each SG performed between 14 and 32 tests (mean 21.4) in the study period. This was equivalent to 6.35 tests per FTE per day.
Excluding portable studies, actual scan time occupied only 38.8% of the SG day. Nonpatient related but essential activities (23.7%) and nonscan nonessential activities (27.9%) took up the rest of the SG time.
Conclusion
In order to maximize efficiency in the vascular lab, nonpatient related activities, which occupy about a quarter of the daily workday, must be eliminated. Off-loading of these responsibilities to ancillary staff may improve SG efficiency. Portable studies consume a significant amount of time, and thus are a drag on efficiency as well.
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