Improving Breast MR Wait Times: A Model for Transitioning Newly Implemented Diagnostic Imaging Procedures into Routine Clinical Operation.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) initiative was to increase patient access to breast MR while maintaining diagnostic image quality.

METHODS: Institutional review board approval was waived for this HIPAA-compliant QI initiative, which was conducted from December 2014 through March 2016. Breast MR wait times, scheduling grids, and staffing models were reviewed to identify root causes of elevated wait times. Breast MR wait times were tracked on a biweekly basis as root causes were identified and action plans were implemented. Patient recall rates for repeat MR imaging were tracked. A retrospective analysis of image quality was performed in a randomly selected sample (20 per month; total: 320 examinations). Wait time and image quality data were analyzed with statistical process control charts and logistic regression.

RESULTS: In all, 798 breast MR examinations were performed during the study period. Monthly volume increased from 23 in December 2014 to 50 in March 2016 (range: 23-64). Wait time for a routine breast MRI fell from 101 days before implementation to 5 days at study completion. The technical recall rate was 0.5% (4 of 798); no recall was performed for a technologist-related error or scan quality concern. The proportion of examinations with minor (31% [99 of 320]) or major (3% [9 of 320]) image quality impairments did not significantly change during the study period (P = .69-.70).

CONCLUSION: A specialized MR examination was transitioned into routine clinical operation while maintaining image quality. This model may be useful for transitioning other specialized diagnostic imaging examinations into routine clinical practice.