Mxr an administrators_guide
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Digital radiography offers hospitals significant benefits over film-based imaging. Mount Auburn Hospital saw improvements in their radiology workflow after implementing a direct radiography system. Technologists experienced greater efficiency due to the automated and rapid image capture capabilities of DR. The workflow was optimized so technicians could position patients and capture images with the push of a button in most cases. This allowed Mount Auburn to increase imaging volumes without adding staff.
Mxr an administrators_guide
- 1. An Administrator’s Guide Philips X-ray Digital Radiography Digital radiography: How to make it Many administrators may not be familiar work for you with the process of managing a large, The productivity and cost benefits of digital multi-faceted project like introducing radiography are many and well-documented. digital technology into their departments. That includes creating the necessary Many radiology departments report 30–40 understanding and buy-in from other percent improvement in technologist key stakeholders. productivity and more efficient room utilization. By sharing digital images through This Guide is intended to help, by providing information systems, they also note higher a detailed process – from evaluation through satisfaction levels with referring physicians implementation – for making better decisions and patients, which can impact a provider’s when evaluating and purchasing digital competitive standing. radiography technology. Whom should you involve on the team? How can you best evaluate Because film is eliminated, going digital saves your needs? What should you know about the cost of film itself, processing, related gathering information, evaluating options and equipment, and storage. Working with digital awarding the contract? How should you plan images eliminates the problem of lost film for implementation? How can you maximize and repeat examinations, resulting in better your return on investment? reimbursement and reduced medico-legal risk. Staff positions to handle and file film While the Guide is geared toward can also be eliminated. administrators who are new to managing complex purchasing projects, it also can serve But how do you create these advantages for as a checklist for experienced administrators. your specific site? How do you make digital radiography work for you? The print quality of this copy is not an accurate representation of the original.
- 2. Table of contents 4 The basics of digital radiography 17 Evaluating your options and 4 Film-based imaging: Why change? awarding the contract 4 Digital radiography: What is it? 17 Creating an evaluation team 5 PACS: The driving force 17 Working with vendors 5 What is direct radiography? 18 What to look for in product offerings 6 What is computed radiography? 20 Case study: Going digital – words of 7 Case study: The benefits of migrating advice from a radiologist to a filmless environment 22 Narrowing your vendor choice: 8 Image quality and dose Request for proposal (RFP) 8 Impact on physicians and patients 23 Making site visits 9 Case study: The workflow benefits 23 Analyzing RFP responses of going digital 24 Assessing vendor ranking 24 Negotiating the contract 10 Assessing your imaging needs 25 Awarding the contract 10 The importance of strategic planning 10 Needs assessment for routine 26 Implementation: Final phases radiography 26 Phasing the installation 11 From system experience to total 26 Ensuring a smooth delivery experience 27 Training the staff 12 Determining your goals 28 Case study: CR/DR implementation 12 Choosing the right configurations at a specialty hospital 13 Case study: CR or DR? 29 Implementing your plan 29 Case study: Tested implementation tips 14 Gathering information and 30 Celebrating success budgeting 14 Requesting information (RFI) 15 Securing cost estimates 15 Obtaining management approvals 16 Pro forma model 16 Simplifying the budgeting process 2 The print quality of this copy is not an accurate representation of the original.
- 3. Special thanks Additional contributors include: Philips would like to acknowledge the significant contribution of several luminary healthcare professionals Kathleen Kennedy, M.S., R.T. (R) (QM) in the development of this Guide. Without them, this Assistant Director of Radiology document would not have been possible. These individuals Hospital for Special Surgery have generously – and independently – provided their New York City, New York counsel, knowledge, and time to help others benefit from their experiences in successfully introducing digital Ralph Koenker, M.D. radiography into their own organizations. Radiology Director Novato Community Hospital/Marin General Hospital Philips is greatly indebted to these individuals for their Novato, California valued assistance, particularly the primary author: Gary L. Woodruff, ARRT, BAHSA Monte Clinton, C.R.A. PACS Administrator/Technical Manager Administrative Director of Radiology Novato Community Hospital/Marin General Hospital Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center Novato, California Lebanon, New Hampshire The Mall at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Photo courtesy of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center 3 The print quality of this copy is not an accurate representation of the original.
- 4. The basics of digital radiography Film-based imaging: Why change? Digital radiography: What is it? Capturing radiology images has changed little since Digital radiography is basically a different way of Roentgen’s discovery of the X-ray in 1895. While there capturing an image. Rather than film, images are have been advances in how images are recorded – such recorded electronically on a digital receptor. The as the move from glass to film – the fact that film-based digital image can then be viewed on a display screen, imaging provides only a single set of images has always printed on film, or transferred to a Picture Archive been a drawback. and Communications System, or PACS. This shortcoming results in a range of inefficiencies: Once the image is on the PACS, it can easily be shared Radiologists receive analog images manually and referring on information networks. Digital images can be recorded clinicians must come to the radiology department to either through cassette-based computed radiography view them. Lost files translate into repeat examinations, (CR) technology or direct radiography (DR) systems. decreased revenue, dissatisfied patients, and increased medico-legal risk. Numerous personnel are required to Digital radiography offers many valuable benefits, including sort, hang, and file the film. And to comply with record quicker, easier, and more reliable management of images. retention laws, years of film files have to be stored and A major advantage of digital technology is the ability maintained in large warehouses. to transmit images over information networks and electronically archive them. Issues driving digital radiography Greater demand for high-performance diagnostic In most cases, digital technology eliminates film, imaging systems with lower radiation dose processing costs, and the purchase, maintenance, Better staff productivity and staffing expenses associated with film processing Higher number of PACS implementations equipment. Permanently archived images are never lost Continued pressure to reduce healthcare costs and and rarely need to be repeated. And by using PACS, increase efficiencies images can be viewed by multiple people in various Cost moving within reach of hospital budgets locations at the same time. Source: Frost & Sullivan, 2004, #A630-50; 3-4 Benefits of digital radiography Better image quality Lower dose Greater productivity Faster throughput No film and related staffing, storage, and equipment costs Lower medico-legal risk Efficient image sharing over digital networks within and outside an organization when combined with PACS Cost moving within reach of hospital budgets Source: Frost & Sullivan, 2004, #A630-50; 3-4, 3-5 4 The print quality of this copy is not an accurate representation of the original.
- 5. PACS: The driving force What is direct radiography? For most organizations, the move to digital imaging Direct radiography (DR) involves the direct capture is driven by the desire to leverage a PACS. A PACS of a digital image through a detector and digital display requires that the original images (whether taken by system. A major advantage of DR is that productivity X-ray, CT, or another modality) are in digital form. can be increased for both the technologist and the CT, MR, and ultrasound are already in a digital format, imaging room as a whole. Boosting productivity is and can easily be incorporated into a PACS. In the especially valuable to organizations where real estate same way, routine radiography images also need to be is at a premium. digitized before they can be incorporated into a PACS. By using DR, the technologist conducts an examination, General radiography studies account for up to 65 percent reviews the image quality, and approves the study without of all procedures conducted in the radiology department. leaving the imaging room. Technologists save time by not Radiography studies also put the highest demands on having to handle cassettes. the department’s infrastructure, require the most staff, and take up the largest amount of floor space. A typical Improving the productivity of technologists already on radiology department stands to gain greater productivity staff makes sense, of course, especially during times of by converting to digital radiography and PACS. technologist shortages. Through DR, hospitals report 30-40 percent gains in technologist productivity. These Direct radiography (DR) and computed radiography productivity benefits provide an excellent way to justify (CR) are the two alternatives for capturing digital images the higher cost of DR imaging rooms. In general, DR is for routine radiography. a cost-effective alternative for higher-volume facilities. Imaging procedure breakdown by segment Nuclear medicine 4.28 % MR 4.99 % PET 0.23 % CT 12.02 % X-ray 51.72 % Ultrasound 14.26 % Other X-ray 12.50 % Source: Frost & Sullivan, 2004, #A630-50, 1-7 5 The print quality of this copy is not an accurate representation of the original.
- 6. What is computed radiography? Computed radiography (CR) captures the digital image on a receptor housed in a cassette. Although less expensive then DR, CR does not offer the same productivity gains achieved with DR, since the technologist must still handle cassettes. CR is a good system for lower-volume facilities, where productivity gains may not be as critical or where existing radiography equipment will not be changed. CR also can supplement DR, which has limitations in certain specialized views. For example, CR enables non- Bucky imaging in the trauma room, OR, or ICU settings. Some manufacturers are also producing DR units with more versatile detectors that can be positioned for table imaging (abdomen), upright (chest), and specialized views (cross-table lateral views), and therefore provide a similar application range as CR. 6 The print quality of this copy is not an accurate representation of the original.
- 7. Case study: The benefits of migrating to a filmless environment By moving to a filmless environment, the radiology Implementation involved the larger hospital and department of Marin General Hospital and Novato physician communities. Setting up a PACS committee Community Hospital increased productivity and reduced with representation from all of the user departments costs. The hospitals, which are part of Sutter Health, proved useful. Making sure radiology was represented in a leading non-profit provider of health care in northern influential decision-making groups, such as the medical California, introduced two DR systems and a CR system. executive committee and surgery committee, was also They were integrated with PACS and the department’s helpful for facilitating communication. other digital imaging modalities, including ultrasound and multislice CT. Re-designing the radiology workflow was critical for success. To overcome habits formed with previous After making the transition in 2002, the hospitals noted technologies, the radiology department learned the value the following benefits: of allotting enough time for the training of radiologists, • Higher throughput referring physicians, technologists, and clerical staff. • Fewer repeated scans Radiologists and referring physicians took advantage • Better room utilization of dedicated times for applications training, using a few • Faster reporting and report turnaround readers. Technologists were trained by department key • No lost film operators, supported by training materials. • Initial capital costs offset by film savings over five years Comparisons between analog and digital radiography at Marin General and Novato Community Hospitals 2000 2003 Total number of exams performed 24,000 36,000 Number of repeat exams 5.9 percent 1 percent Emergency room reports turnaround time 24 hours 6 hours Film costs $150,000 $19,500 Staffing - Technologist positions 11.1 10.0 - Clerical positions 4.5 4.0 Return on investment: Initial capital costs offset by film cost-savings Capital costs over two years, including Film savings over five years, in addition a secondary archive expense to savings in staffing and supplies $544,000 $652,500 7 The print quality of this copy is not an accurate representation of the original.
- 8. Image quality and dose Impact on physicians and patients The image quality of digital radiography is considered by Digital images, when incorporated into a PACS, have many to be superior to analog X-ray systems, with the been shown to improve the satisfaction and productivity added benefit of lower radiation dose. Digital radiography of both radiologists and referring clinicians. also makes it possible to manipulate the image to obtain different information. With a PACS, radiologists no longer manually sort films and handle images of varying size and quality. A PACS For example, an image can be manipulated to show also enables radiologists to share images with colleagues both soft tissue and bony detail with one exposure, in different geographic locations through information thus eliminating radiation exposure from the second networks. image. Hospitals report dose reductions of nearly 50 percent, depending on patient and examination Referring clinicians no longer need to search for films type, as compared to film-based imaging. or view images in the radiology department. They view the images in their own office, minutes after the study However, dose must be closely monitored since digital is completed, regardless of their location. PACS also imaging offers no inherent automatic control mechanism, enables referring clinicians to access any digital image as compared to conventional film. With film, an over- in a patient’s file from their own offices. exposed study is visible on blackened film. With digital imaging, a study may be overexposed but still appear as Patients also benefit, through faster scans and less an acceptable image, as the overexposure is waiting time, as well as greater portability of their electronically adjusted. images on CDs. More Internet-savvy patients expect instant access to their images. 8 The print quality of this copy is not an accurate representation of the original.
- 9. Case study: The workflow benefits of going digital At the 200-bed Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, optimized so that 90 percent of the procedures merely Massachusetts, the benefits of going digital are require the push of a button after they position the experienced in the day-to-day radiology workflow. patient. Time spent by patients waiting for room access Technologists and physicians experience greater has disappeared for the most part. efficiency as a result of the highly automated, reliable, rapid diagnostic image capture with DR. As a result, Mount Auburn has been able to perform a steadily increasing volume of CR, DR, and fluoro Workflow improved dramatically with the high exams with no increase in staff. When the systems performance DR system. When PACS was installed, the were first installed in the ER, the radiology department department got the full functionality for which the system was understaffed by the equivalent of three FTE was ultimately designed. With the digital radiography technologists. Annual procedure volumes totaled 55,478 system and PACS, workflow efficiency took another in 2000; they grew to 70,312 in 2003. leap forward for technologists and radiologists alike. In addition, dose has been reduced. Most exams today Now Mount Auburn technologists do not have to are performed at film equivalent speeds of 1200 to 800, process film or run CR cassettes to a processor when compared to 300 or 400. Radiation exposure is reduced using the digital radiography suites. Settings are by a factor of two to four. 9 The print quality of this copy is not an accurate representation of the original.
- 10. Assessing your imaging needs The importance of strategic planning • Assess staffing productivity (number of exams per FTE) Virtually every healthcare organization has a strategic • Evaluate imaging room utilization (number of exams plan that provides a guide to the organization’s future per imaging room) directions: outlining projections for new buildings, • Calculate volume variations, by time and day of the week marketing strategies, new services, added satellites, • Plot your department’s current workflow (Microsoft’s® and estimates for the number and kind of patients that Visio ® program is helpful in documenting key work the organization will serve in the future. processes in flow chart form) • Assess anticipated growth by clinical area (for example, The strategic plan is critically important in evaluating the a new pediatric satellite) or patient population (based transition to digital radiography, since almost everything on current trends like the growing aging population and the healthcare facility does in the future will affect radiology. the institution’s strategic plan) • Formulate volume projections by exam for the next While the organization’s strategic plan serves as a guide three to four years (based on current trends and the for the future plans of the radiology department, it institution’s strategic plan) also forms the basis for the needs assessment for the • Calculate the turn-around time for readings and reports move to digital imaging. To conduct a thorough needs • Evaluate the current utilization patterns of referring assessment, you will need to assess your current imaging physicians by modality (providing the benefits of program as well as what you plan to do in the future. digital radiography may create additional demand from referring physicians who already are coming to you for Needs assessment for routine radiography CT, MR, and ultrasound) A good starting point is to assess your current and anticipated film-based routine radiography program, Competitive challenges including: • Evaluate your major competitors (services they offer, available technologies, how they are perceived by Current and anticipated volume and workflow referring physicians and general public, for example) • Analyze image volume trends, by exam, over the • Analyze how your organization compares to previous three to four years competitors (referring physician satisfaction, exam • Evaluate current site-specific technologies to wait times, latest technology, quality/accuracy/speed determine future workflow needs (for example, of results, patient satisfaction, convenient hours and identifying the number of processors currently in each location, for example) location and their usage by film-size will help determine the appropriate number, type, and location of CR readers for the future) 10 The print quality of this copy is not an accurate representation of the original.
- 11. From system experience to total experience Consider improving the overall experience for your The importance of patient satisfaction in creating patients by: competitive advantages continues to grow. Moving • Evaluating the main waiting area. Provide a comfortable patients from a system experience to new levels of space and relevant information and distraction; this is overall satisfaction and comfort can have a significant where patients spend most of their time. impact on your site’s ability to attract and maintain • Looking at the paths patients travel. Provide clear referrals. signage and simplified guidance to and from changing and examination rooms. Current “experience research” is exploring ways to • Thinking about privacy. Create a positive experience address patient issues such as long waiting times for in the changing area. short procedures, a lack of information while waiting, • Improving confidence levels. Hide clutter in the exam and cold and impersonal spaces in patient areas. room, including cables and other technical elements, This research indicates that patients value comfort, if possible. personalization, reassurance, and personal contact. Source: Philips Design – ambient experience research programs 11 The print quality of this copy is not an accurate representation of the original.
- 12. Determining your goals Choosing the right configurations The outcome of your needs assessment will help to The most difficult decision when considering a move more clearly define what you need to achieve in the from analog to digital imaging is what equipment to buy. transition from analog to digital. For example, your Your site’s strategic plan and needs assessment play a goals may include: major role in determining which digital radiology systems • Providing a platform for PACS will work best for your organization. • Boosting staff productivity • Improving examination throughput How do you know which systems are right for your • Reducing patient waiting time organization – DR, CR, or a combination of both? • Increasing your capacity to do more examinations Unfortunately, there is no magic formula for determining • Improving room utilization the number of digital units required to replace a specific • Enhancing radiologist productivity and satisfaction number of analog film units. • Increasing referring clinician and patient satisfaction • Improving your marketing position The goal is to identify digital radiography capabilities that will meet your needs in the short, medium, and long run. Once you have a good assessment of your current Administrators will need to do a cost-benefit analysis, program, you may find that there are operational starting with an evaluation of each digital modality. changes that can be made immediately to level out workflow, better utilize under-performing imaging rooms, and coach staff members on how to improve their productivity. Comparing the benefits of DR and CR DR Advantages CR Advantages Enhances staff productivity Lower cost Reduces number of rooms required Works with existing analog equipment and workflow to minimize department disruption Reduces physical labor for staff Good for non-Bucky imaging Enables staff to stay with patient Good for portable trauma, ICU, and OR work Eliminates film and cassette handling Workload comparison – film-based radiography, CR, and DR* Film-based radiography CR DR 60 80 More than 150 * Source: Philips Medical Systems. Estimated number of radiography exams (images) that can be performed in an eight-hour day (two- detector room, with two exams per patient and six minutes total handling time). Minimum exam time is two minutes. Actual number depends on exam mix and patient condition. 12 The print quality of this copy is not an accurate representation of the original.
- 13. Case study: CR or DR? After months of analysis, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical combination that put digital capability in each of the six Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, decided to replace rooms. The six rooms are configured as follows: eight analog radiographic rooms that were operating • Two single-detector upright units, which also can be at capacity with six DR rooms. The six DR rooms now repositioned to do supine extremity examinations easily handle the current workload and provide an • Two single-detector table units additional 36 percent capacity. • One dual-detector (upright and table) unit • One single-detector/multi-functional unit Initially, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center planned to move from film to CR. However, the assessment team By putting digital capability in each of the six rooms, realized that it would not achieve its major objectives the organization has the flexibility to add the upright with CR. These objectives included: or table detector to the single-detector rooms. • Improving examination throughput • Reducing patient waiting time In terms of teaching technologists how to use the new • Increasing capacity to do more examinations technology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock has discovered that • Boosting staff productivity training several key operators by the vendor’s application • Improving referring clinician satisfaction specialist works best. These key operators then teach the remainder of the staff. They also help to train new With this realization, the team made a mid-course change staff members or students as they come to the facility. by moving from analog directly to DR, supplemented by CR for cross-table, portable, and OR work. Based on experience at Dartmouth-Hitchcock’s busy radiology department, the time required to adequately Because of the higher cost of DR, not all the rooms were train a technologist is approximately four hours for a replaced with the more versatile dual-detector imaging DR system, and about eight hours for a CR system. rooms. Instead, Dartmouth-Hitchcock purchased a 13 The print quality of this copy is not an accurate representation of the original.
- 14. Gathering information and budgeting Requesting information (RFI) Items to remember Now that you have identified your goals and • Develop a standard RFI outlining your equipment needs requirements, you can explore the various systems • Include specific details about your department, offered by different vendors through a formal request including: for information (RFI). - Number of annual examinations listed by modality - Inpatient and outpatient volumes The RFI is generally done in a specific format so that - Why new equipment is needed: each vendor gets the same information request. It also - Desire the latest technology provides vendors with basic information about your - Moving to PACS and need digital format imaging department and your goals. In the RFI, you will - Replacing old equipment request information about the products you specify, - Increasing volume i.e., DR and CR equipment. - Must improve staff productivity - Number of units you are considering In addition to finding out more about each vendor’s • Select at least four vendors equipment, the RFI will enable you to narrow the list of • Contact each vendor’s sales representative companies capable of fulfilling your needs. Later in the to identify who should receive the RFI process, these companies will receive the formal request • Set a specific deadline when RFI is to be returned for proposal (RFP). • Your review of the RFI will help you select the best vendors to receive the RFP Depending on the size of your department, you may also consider securing the services of an outside consultant whose expertise may add value, particularly when an outside perspective helps to break through internal politics. 14 The print quality of this copy is not an accurate representation of the original.
- 15. Securing cost estimates Items to remember As you can imagine, the cost of equipment can vary • Get an estimate of the unit cost of the desired considerably depending on the features, model, and equipment vendor. When contemplating a major equipment • Invite the vendor to view the equipment location purchase, you have an opportunity to optimize your • Make sure the vendor is aware of any building or site buying power. You may also consider working with limitations (adequate electrical power, etc.) your facility’s group purchasing organizations (GPOs), • The initial cost estimate can be a verbal estimate from or a service that provides additional information on the vendor’s representative comparing products. • The estimate should include a separate price for all components and options Through the RFI, your goal is to get a cost estimate • Networking and interface costs should be listed of your total purchase. You will need this in order separately to budget for capital equipment and to get approval • Ask for an estimate of the service cost after warranty from your organization’s management to proceed. • The cost estimate should be for a fully functional unit Your final price will be in the RFP response, which will be covered later. Obtaining management approvals • Quantify the savings in transitioning from film to The decision to change from film-based imaging to digital digital imaging imaging will have a major impact on your department’s - Film and processing cost-savings future. This will also be a major investment for your - Reduction of film library staff and related savings institution that will require careful analysis and planning. - Elimination of film-related equipment services - Elimination of space required to handle and store film Your job is to assess your options for digital imaging, - Productivity savings, illustrating how more studies can projecting future examination volumes, staffing be done in fewer imaging rooms requirements, and digital equipment options. You also • Explain the positive impact on staff productivity need to project the financial ramifications, marketing - Technologist impact, and the ability of your department to handle - Radiologist the current and future workload. - Other departmental support or administrative staff • Demonstrate the positive impact on patients and At this point you will need to present a proposal referring clinicians to your senior management demonstrating why your - Saves time when coupled with PACS recommendation is the right one for your institution. - Eliminates lost film and the need to repeat studies - Reduces radiation dose (critical with pediatric patients) Your proposal needs to include the following: - Decreases patient waiting time • Indicate how reimbursements will improve • Project the costs associated with the new equipment - Lost film equals lost revenue or costly repeats - Equipment costs, including options and networking • Make the case for reducing medico-legal risk resulting - Construction or renovation costs for the new from lost film imaging room(s) - Service costs after warranty 15 The print quality of this copy is not an accurate representation of the original.
- 16. Pro forma model Efficiency improvement resulting from transition from traditional radiography to DR (min.): 30% Revenue Traditional RAD Room DR System # of procedures per year 15,000 15,000 Procedure volume growth rate 5% 5% Avg. reimbursement per procedure $ 50.00 $ 50.00 Reimbursement inflation rate 2% 2% Bad debt expense % 5% 5% Other revenues 0% 0% Expenses Traditional RAD Room DR System Technologist FTE cost per study $ 9.09 $ 6.36 FTE inflation rate 5% 5% Dark room FTE cost per study $ 0.21 $– File room FTE cost per study $ 2.60 $– Annual rent / facility charge $ 100,000 $ 100,000 Annual utilities cost $ 10,000 $ 10,000 Equipment cost $ 85,000 $ 390,000 Site prep / installation $ 5,000 $ 5,000 Annual service cost $ 8,000 $ 37,000 # of years required to maintain records 6–7 6–7 Annual storage cost per record $ 0.05 $ 0.05 General inflation rate 3% 3% Processor cost per study $ 0.69 $– Film/supplies cost per study $ 4.08 $– Annual courier costs per study $ 0.15 $– Other expenses $ 100.00 $– Source: Philips Medical Systems Simplifying the budgeting process Items to remember Every healthcare facility has different requirements for • In general, budget for the vendor’s cost estimate; the capital budgeting process. Budgeting for the change factor in all options and networking costs from film to digital imaging can be a complex task because • Incorporate construction costs, which generally of the variety of considerations involved in the purchase are included under a separate category within the of digital equipment. capital budget • Any warranty should cover the first year of use. Generally, once the budget is approved you cannot go Obtain a firm quote of the service costs for the back and ask for more funding. Your budget projections year(s) after the warranty must be reasonably accurate but with sufficient flexibility to allow changes when the final price is obtained. The RFP response from the vendor, which comes later in the process, will provide the final price. 16 The print quality of this copy is not an accurate representation of the original.
- 17. Evaluating your options and awarding the contract Creating an evaluation team Working with vendors For every major equipment purchase, your organization The vendor’s representative is the best source of needs a team to evaluate the systems, options, functionality, information about their company’s products. In some and service requirements. cases, the company may also provide a product specialist who is knowledgeable about specific equipment, such as The team should consist of the radiology administrator, who CR and DR. The vendor’s representative and the product is responsible for making the purchase recommendation specialist should work together to make certain you have to senior management; the clinical operations manager, all the information you need. who manages staff members using the equipment; the asset manager, who oversees service and maintenance; Federal anti-kickback laws require that purchases be made and a technologist, who actually will use the equipment. in a fair and objective manner so all participants are given an equal opportunity. Each vendor should be treated the Each person brings his or her unique perspective to same. These laws also restrict vendor gifts to customers. the process that together will help the institution Your facility also may have rules concerning gifts. make the best possible decision. Led by the radiology administrator, the team needs to have credibility with Items to remember the radiology chairperson, radiology staff, and your • The evaluation team should participate in all facility’s senior management. Here is the team’s mandate: vendor discussions • Your purchasing department may also participate • Assist with the needs assessment, RFI, and RFP in vendor discussions – invite them to attend • Attend all site visits at other institutions • The evaluation team should attend all vendor • Meet with each vendor invited to bid site visits • With purchasing’s help evaluate the quotation • Avoid any perception of giving one vendor responses to the RFP referential treatment • Make the final recommendation to senior management 17 The print quality of this copy is not an accurate representation of the original.
- 18. What to look for in product offerings Image quality Not all offerings are the same. Here are some guidelines Most will agree that the quality of digital images is to begin your discussions with vendors, comparing superior to conventional X-rays. In particular, DR products and services. produces higher quality images at lower speed with greater sensitivity. Also, detectors with a high matrix Ease of use size produce images with higher spatial resolution. All digital radiography systems will provide some You will get more from vendors who provide: improvement in efficiency. To get maximum benefit, • Solid experience in how the imaging chain works. consider: That experience translates into better image capture • Software that integrates the generator and patient and processing techniques. management systems, making them less dependent • Examples of sequencing images for easier viewing, on operator involvement. Once a patient is selected manipulation to get desired views, and magnification from the DICOM modality work list, system settings of fine anatomic detail. are chosen automatically. After the image is taken, processing is automatic. Eliminating extra steps for Detector size the technologist means faster throughput and less Detector size does matter, especially as the population’s opportunity for error. girth increases. Large detectors, such as 17-by-17, • Productivity and ergonomic enhancements: easy- will help you avoid having to image larger patients in to-move patient tables with adjustable height, X-ray sections, resulting in unnecessary exposure to radiation tube carrier with ceiling suspension, tiltable and and slower throughput. You may be used to working moveable vertical stands, portable detectors, and easy with standard 14-by-17 size film or cassette. With collimation. Up to 83 percent of technologists suffer a 17-by-17 digital detector, you will always have full from back pain, according to the Journal of Industrial coverage to image any type of patient without turning Ergonomics (January 2004, vol. 33:1, pp. 29-40). the detector. • Systems designed the way users want to work. Are the workstations and user interfaces intuitive Upgradeability and easy to use? Regardless of what system you purchase, it should be designed to be upgraded. If you are buying a conventional radiography room now, be sure there is an upgrade path. You need to be ready to upgrade if your application mix changes or when your budget allows. Be sure that the system can be customized, with modules that are interchangeable. 18 The print quality of this copy is not an accurate representation of the original.
- 19. Utilization Bridging imaging and IT Your vendor should have a large installed base with The worlds of imaging and information technologies experience in a variety of settings and circumstances. are increasingly interrelated. Vendors with the widest Vendors that have been in the industry the longest have portfolio will do a better job of integrating imaging and the benefit of knowing where medical imaging has been IT information, creating improvements in workflow and and where it is going. Evaluate your vendor’s experience patient care. in the following areas: • Reliability and dependability built into product Organizations that have made the transition to digital development. Ask how each system is designed radiography report greater success when radiology and to last. IT are working collaboratively. Choose a vendor that • A variety of service offerings to fit your needs. has depth of understanding in medical imaging as well Good service makes the difference between success as medical IT. and failure. What is the availability of parts and how fast can they be delivered? For example, organizations that use CR and DR will • Proactively prevent downtime through clinical want the same diagnostic quality when looking at both education and support, remote and online resources, images on PACS. Look for multi-resolution image service contracts, and system updates. processing that enhances details of CR and DR images If your system does go down, your vendor needs with the same quality and appearance. The images should to provide fast response and service delivery. look virtually indistinguishable through enhanced • Some vendors offer additional management reports contrast, which is especially useful in applications that indicate where you can improve asset performance where high-definition detail is essential. and operations on an ongoing basis. 19 The print quality of this copy is not an accurate representation of the original.
- 20. Case study: Going digital – words of advice from a radiologist When considering digital radiography, there are benefits in learning from those who have already made the transition. Ralph Koenker, M.D., Radiology Director at Novato Community Hospital and Marin General Hospital in Novato, California, shared major lessons learned when his organization switched to digital radiography. Ensure image quality control Although image quality from digital techniques should theoretically outperform the older analog film-screen techniques, it still remains possible to see inconsistency in the quality of your radiograph. It is critically important that the initial processing algorithms be correctly set up for the preferences of your institution. This means that careful collaboration between the radiologist and the first to minimize scatter within the body, but also to vendor’s application specialist takes place early in the optimize a definable “exposure field” on the cassette. implementation. The images need to look acceptable The computer generates histograms after first to the physicians viewing your studies. identifying an exposed area on the detector sheet or plate. Without proper collimation, the exposed Digital radiographs can be manipulated, in ways similar field may not be properly identified and optimized. to digital photography. However, providing a wide variety of possible algorithm manipulations makes Don’t expect digital to fix poor workflow for inconsistency and confusion amongst the X-ray Going digital doesn’t automatically improve your radiology technologists. Therefore, it is advisable to settle on workflow processes. In fact, if your workflow rules don’t preferred algorithm settings early in the implementation, work in the analog realm, digitizing them will produce keeping those settings permanent. even greater disorder. There is an old saying among project engineers for digital implementations: “If your Digital radiography systems with the best image quality workflow was a mess before going digital, and you do have specific settings for every single body part and nothing to change that, then after going fully digital, X-ray view. Linking the CR system with the radiology all you end up with is an automated mess.” information system (RIS) charge master can be helpful in identifying an anatomy database that contains the For example, patient order entry must be performed pre-loaded optimized algorithm settings. correctly the first time, especially when working with PACS. A patient entered as “John J. Smith” in one visit, Take time to train technologists and then as “John Jay Smith” the next, will lead to Invest enough time to train technologists – about four confusion and difficulties, since the images will be housed hours for a DR system and eight hours for CR. Although in separate patient digital master folders. Although it is the basics of X-ray production and X-ray interaction theoretically impossible to “lose” a digital radiograph, with biologic tissues are not changed, there are some in practice the most common source of “lost” studies key differences in the way digital detectors respond. involves naming inconsistencies of the digital X-ray file. The solution is to carefully integrate your RIS system Centering the anatomy in the middle of the cassette with the digital radiography system through a feature is more important than it was with film-screen. called modality work list. With consistent use of this Also, collimation has a double importance now: feature, technologists pick the patient name from a 20 The print quality of this copy is not an accurate representation of the original.
- 21. presented list. Since the data entry is not manually Be mindful of workflow ergonomics typed, name inconsistencies are not a problem when When trying to decide where to place workstations, modality work list is used regularly. especially in busy emergency departments, you may be inclined to put them in the busiest areas for the Be aware of operating room challenges convenience of referring physicians and ER physicians. The high-intensity environment of the OR represents This will lead to greater acceptance of your new system. one of the most challenging areas for digital radiography. However, having a workstation in a high-traffic area Some of the issues you may confront are CR reader might present issues of medical record privacy and “lines adjustments in exposure field detection since collimation of sight” between public areas and computer monitors. and image centering are sub-optimal in operating room Sites that allow ER doctors to determine the location of situations. Accordingly, you may wish to convert your their workstations generally get through the transition operating room to digital only after fully implementing with greater ease. and stabilizing the digital conversion within your X-ray department. For surgery cases, make the transition when Take charge of safety and legal issues your technologists are completely trained and comfortable Digital radiography may decrease a hospital’s exposure with the new technology. For many sites, this might be to legal liabilities, since lost film is no longer an issue. appropriate after roughly six months’ experience. However, radiology departments may still face legal exposure. It is important to document and maintain In orthopedics, the need to provide images for orthopedic records that the CR reader and selenium plate detector device templates is crucial to allow correct sizing of hip have undergone and passed proper calibration tests. and knee replacements. In the film/screen realm, this sizing involved transparent templates physically laid over Moreover, if you have made the move to soft-copy X-ray films. At a minimum, you will need the capability reading of your digital X-rays, it also is useful to maintain to provide life-size anatomic printed copy of your digital records of the calibration of the display monitors, images so that the transparency template techniques can noting the luminance and resolution tests. Quality continue to be employed. checks, performed at intervals deemed appropriate by each institution, provide a documented service record There are soft-copy software options to provide sizing that ensures optimal image quality and protects your and selection of ortho implantable devices, but this patients’ safety. software should be implemented with the assistance of your orthopedic surgeons so that they become stakeholders in the overall project. Some orthopedic surgeons find that software methods for templating take too much time, so you will need to coordinate with your surgeons to find the right solution for your organization. Be sure to also manage referring physician expectations appropriately in terms of turnaround. Some will expect image turnaround time similar to digital photography. In DR, images can be produced in 20-30 seconds. However, a CR image can take five minutes between exposure and presentation of the image in the OR because the cassette needs to be developed in the CR reader and sent through the network. 21 The print quality of this copy is not an accurate representation of the original.
- 22. Narrowing your vendor choice: Request for Vendors should be advised that their responses proposal (RFP) must follow the format of the RFP, or they will be Through the RFI process, you created a shortlist of rejected. This format will facilitate product and feature vendors that can help you reach your digital imaging comparison between vendors. goals. Now you need to invite these selected vendors to submit more detailed information in a formal request Because RFPs require a considerable amount of work for for proposal (RFP). vendors, they should be given adequate time to complete the bid process. A standard time is generally between Each vendor is given an identical RFP so each company four and six weeks. The RFP will specify a deadline, can be evaluated fairly against the others. RFPs should detailing when and where the bids must be returned only be given to vendors with whom you are willing (generally, to the purchasing department). to work. The bids are opened at the same time in accordance Since the RFP has specific legal verbiage that will protect with your institution’s policy. This will avoid any possible your facility from error or unexpected problems in the litigation if impropriety is perceived by any of the vendors. purchase contract, it is very important to have your purchasing department involved in the RFP development. Frequently, purchasing will have an institutionally Items to remember approved format that must be followed. The RFP • The RFP is a legal document subject to audit by should always require line-item pricing, so that the federal authorities cost of each equipment feature can be assessed as to • Vendors should be given adequate time to respond – its benefit versus cost. four to six weeks • RFP responses are confidential and must not be Some institutions have a “bidders meeting” shortly shared among vendors after the RFPs are distributed to vendors. This meeting • The bid response is generally subject to final consists of representatives from each vendor, purchasing negotiation representatives, and the evaluation team members. This • Vendors are not permitted to resubmit or alter enables you to review the project and vendors to ask their bid for any reason for RFP clarification. By having a group meeting, all of • Be specific. Do not assume that an application, the vendors hear the same answers, at the same time, hand grip or special table feature is included avoiding any perception of vendor bias. 22 The print quality of this copy is not an accurate representation of the original.
- 23. Making site visits Analyzing RFP responses Site visits are an important part of the assessment of By requiring vendors to follow a specific RFP format, any major purchase. Generally the assessment team only the analysis that follows is logical and systematic. makes site visits with vendors that have been invited to In most cases, the evaluation team is given this bid. Usually these visits take place soon after the bids responsibility. have been sent to vendors. Since the results of the RFP evaluation process are Selection of the site is the prerogative of the vendor. subject to federal audit (the equipment will be used Ask the vendor for a list of facilities that have the on Medicare patients), the evaluation needs to be equipment you are evaluating. Make sure the vendor documented in a systematic way. You will need to knows that you may call these sites as references, to conduct the evaluation by identifying the factors that request information about their experiences and their are most important to your organization. There are satisfaction with the equipment. tools available to help you compare vendors and their offerings. The date and time of the site visit is generally determined at the discretion of the facility being visited to ensure that Some facilities have found it helpful to evaluate the the equipment is available. A good vendor will permit, bids using a set of criteria and a weighting system that if not encourage, private time between the evaluation addresses the important aspects of the equipment. team and their counterparts at other institutions. The criteria may differ for each organization. Items to remember Criteria Typical Weight • Conduct site visits only with vendors who have Reliability and service 20 percent been invited to bid Image quality 25 percent • All evaluation team members should go on each Price 20 percent site visit Features 15 percent • The specific site to be visited is the prerogative of Upgradeability 10 percent the vendor Company stability 5 percent • Date and time of the visit is the prerogative of Value-added concessions 5 percent the host site An evaluation system using criteria and weighting is helpful • Make sure you know your institution’s policy for evaluating bids in a structured manner regarding who pays for off-site visits • The vendor should provide private time for discussion only between the evaluation team members and their host counterparts 23 The print quality of this copy is not an accurate representation of the original.
- 24. Assessing vendor ranking Negotiating the contract To arrive at your final vendor choice, ask team The final contract negotiation should be handled by your members to assess vendors on each criterion. facility’s purchasing department, which will promote your organization’s best interests. The vendor’s attorneys For example, on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being the worst will represent the company’s interests. Both you and and 10 being the best, each team member evaluates your vendor should gain from the negotiation; view the vendor X according to each criterion. Next, the team relationship with your vendor as a long-term partnership. determines the average ranking for that vendor for each criterion. Then the average ranking score is multiplied Purchasing should be aware of the features and options by the weight assigned to that criterion; for example, that are important to include in the contract. In addition vendor X’s average ranking of 8 for reliability and service to price, there are frequently other aspects of the would be multiplied by 20 percent, giving vendor X a contract that can also be negotiated with the vendor. final score of 160. The vendor with the highest overall Once the contract is signed, you cannot go back and score wins. make modifications. Since the ranking by team members is subjective, the Some facilities have their own engineers or technicians in final result should be negotiated through consensus of radiology who will take over maintenance responsibilities the team. This is a fair, objective system that will pass when the warranty expires. If your department plans to any audit. do its own maintenance, include vendor training of your staff in the contract. Items to remember Items to remember • Invite the purchasing department to monitor • Leave the negotiation to your purchasing the process professionals • Use a systematic, objective evaluation process • Make sure purchasing includes the features and • Select criteria that the team most needs to evaluate options you want • Weigh the importance of each criterion • Give purchasing a list of acceptable value-added • Score each vendor on each criterion features to negotiate • Include the training of your maintenance staff and service manuals in the contract, if applicable • Payment terms are generally specified in accordance with the facility’s standard policies • This should be a win – win agreement between the vendor and your facility 24 The print quality of this copy is not an accurate representation of the original.
- 25. Awarding the contract Awarding the contract will occur at the end of the negotiation. It is important that purchasing reviews the final contract with you before it is awarded. If any changes or modifications are needed, they should be completed before the contract is signed. When finalizing the details, you may consider various financing options offered by your vendor. Ask your vendor about financing alternatives. Operating leases, graduated payments, lease with service, and an upgrade program are just some of the possibilities that may be right for your organization. To finalize the contract, purchasing will need to get administrative (CEO) and finance (CFO) approval, in most cases. Items to remember • Be sure that purchasing reviews the negotiated contract with you before it is signed • Compare the contract with the bid – they should closely match • Frequently, the contract will contain a clause that says, “In accordance with bid quotation # XXXXX, dated January 1, 200*.” This assures the legal binding of the bid and contract • Purchasing will award the contract after management approvals • Celebrate the agreement with the vendor and purchasing • Now the work begins 25 The print quality of this copy is not an accurate representation of the original.
- 26. Implementation: Final phases Phasing the installation Ensuring a smooth delivery The planning for delivery and installation should Developing a working time line agreed upon by start immediately after the signing of the contract. you and the vendor will be helpful in planning The vendor’s representative will give you detailed construction and delivery. specifications of the equipment, which will include power, heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC), The date of delivery needs to be coordinated with and data networks and telephone connections. the vendor’s trucking company and your receiving department to ensure that a loading dock will be Most vendors have an engineering staff that will assist available on the day and time of delivery. The delivery you in planning the modifications required for existing point can be either your loading dock or the finished space to accommodate the equipment. This needs to be room where the equipment will be installed. You can closely coordinated with your facility’s engineering staff. specify where you want the system delivered. An accredited physicist is required to make the shielding calculations for radiation protection. In some cases, the trucking company will only deliver to the loading dock, and the vendor’s installation staff Your state and local authorities have regulations that will move it to the finished room. need to be followed in order for your organization to legally operate the equipment. Most states require Be sure to do a “route run-through” so the vendor the vendor to submit a report to the state’s bureau of and your institution are assured that the equipment radiation control, indicating that the equipment has will fit through all corridors, elevators, and doorways been installed. (accounting for the size and weight of shipping crates in which the equipment is delivered). Your vendor will be able to give you an accurate estimate of the installation time. For DR units, installation time is typically less than a week. Items to remember • Obtain detailed equipment and room modification specifications from the vendor • Coordinate the construction requirements with your engineering department • Shielding requirements must be developed by a physicist • Coordinate delivery and internal transport with the vendor, the trucking company, and your receiving department 26 The print quality of this copy is not an accurate representation of the original.
- 27. Training the staff After the installation is complete, the vendor will send an application specialist to train the technologists who will operate the equipment. The application specialist is a technologist experienced in the operation of the equipment. The amount of time the application specialist spends at your facility will be specified in the contract – generally one to three days. Usually this training is provided for each unit purchased. The change from analog to digital imaging should not come as a surprise to your staff. During this entire process, you should keep your staff informed of what you are doing and why. This can be done at regular staff meetings and through newsletters. Working on new technology usually is an exciting time for the technologists. Training time varies by institution, but in general it takes technologists about four hours to learn how to use a DR system, and about eight hours for a CR system. Some organizations first train key operators who serve as advocates for the new technology, train remaining staff members, and trouble-shoot when necessary. Items to remember • Keep staff informed during the entire process, emphasizing the benefits • Vendor’s application specialist will train your key operators • Key operators will train the remainder of your staff 27 The print quality of this copy is not an accurate representation of the original.
- 28. Case study: CR/DR implementation at a specialty hospital The Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), a premier The training of key operators by the vendor also played university-affiliated hospital specializing in orthopaedics a key role. The key operators then trained the remaining and rheumatology in New York City, New York, planned staff members, ensuring that they possessed appropriate very carefully before, during, and after the installation skill levels in using the systems. At the same time, of CR and DR. The hospital aimed to maximize room the organization documented how staff was trained utilization, workflow, and image quality. to use the digital systems, resulting in proof of their competency for regulatory agencies that require such HSS took time to articulate its expectations in detail documentation, such as the Joint Commission for the with the vendor prior to and during implementation. Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). In particular, it was helpful to contact the vendor’s application specialist prior to arrival to troubleshoot Although good positioning, shielding, and technique are anticipated problems, e.g., collimation, image quality, etc. vital in ensuring high-quality images, digital systems also allow technologists to manipulate digital images. Because Thinking through how to set up the database was time these digital post-processing techniques may actually consuming. However, this critical investment of time on hide or misrepresent pathology, HSS prohibited this type the front end paid dividends. The hospital took great of manipulation. care to create a customized anatomy database tailored to its specific needs. Particularly essential was developing Overall, the specialty hospital reminded tech-nologists a customized anatomy database using the radiology that they needed to continue to use all of their “Tech department’s exam charge master and positioning 101” skills in the transition to going digital. Up-front protocols as a cross reference. With this information planning initiatives and ongoing supervision has enabled available up front, the application specialist was better the transition to be positive in terms of department prepared to enter the key information. As a result, HSS morale and overall improved efficiency. made better use of training time and developed more appropriate processing protocols. 28 The print quality of this copy is not an accurate representation of the original.
- 29. Implementing your plan You can help the application specialist by showing him Now that the equipment evaluation, negotiation, or her acceptable image quality on film studies. planning and training is complete, it is time to implement your digital imaging program. Once you have achieved the exact images you want on one unit, the calibrated factors from that unit will The vendor’s application specialist will calibrate the unit be used to populate any other CR or DR units you have to produce the exact image your radiologists prefer. purchased. The goal is to have standardized images for While each of your radiologists may prefer a slightly every body part regardless of where the study is taken. different image – some may want more latitude, others more contrast – they must decide on one acceptable image. This may change by body part but the equipment will not permit the same body part to be calibrated in different ways. Case study: Tested implementation tips Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center found that a When Dartmouth-Hitchcock purchased six DR units, phased implementation works best. This enables the the installation was phased in over a period of several vendor’s service engineer or application specialist months. As each DR unit came on line, images were to customize the equipment’s software to the site’s printed on film and handled in the usual manner. specifications. Each examination done on the unit must After all the units were installed, the next step was to be separately loaded into the CR or DR control. Each integrate the digital units (DR or CR) into the PACS. vendor will have default settings but these settings may have to be adjusted to meet the organization’s needs. Dartmouth-Hitchcock archived images for 90 days prior to the switch over to PACS. This allowed the medical center to build up an archive of old studies, which eliminated much of the need to compare digital images with previous images on film. 29 The print quality of this copy is not an accurate representation of the original.
- 30. Celebrating success Making the move from film-based to digital imaging is a challenging task that requires a considerable amount of analysis, planning, training, and collaboration with a variety of people. Following the steps in this Guide will give you a good start on planning for your institution’s future. Once you have made the transition, celebrate your success with your team as well as the numerous people from inside and outside your organization who made this project happen. The teamwork will be helpful in the future as adjustments may need to be made in the transition to digital technology. This also is a good time to invite your management to see the digital investment they have made. Through hard work, your organization is positioned to recoup the benefits of digital radiography now and in the future. 30 The print quality of this copy is not an accurate representation of the original.
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- 32. Philips Healthcare is part of Royal Philips Electronics How to reach us www.philips.com/healthcare healthcare@philips.com fax: +31 40 27 64 887 Asia +852 2821 5888 Europe, Middle East, Africa +49 7031 463 2254 Latin America +55 11 2125 0764 North America + 1 425 487 7000 800 285 5585 (toll free, US only) Philips Healthcare Global Information Center P.O. Box 1286 5602 BG Eindhoven The Netherlands © 2008 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. All rights are reserved. Philips Healthcare reserves the right to make changes in specifications and/or to discontinue any product at any time without notice or obligation and will not be liable for any consequences resulting from the use of this publication. Printed in The Netherlands. 4522 962 00711/712 * MAY 2008 The print quality of this copy is not an accurate representation of the original.