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The Unseen Expenses of Antiquated Radiology Processes

October 29, 2024August 23, 2024

The nexus between technology and patient care, radiology information systems (RIS) have been transformed by the latest advances in healthcare. They provide a platform for the management of patient data, scheduling procedures and tracking patient histories.

Unplanned RIS downtime can impact the entire imaging center and lead to a wide array of costs, including tangible financial losses and revenue cycle challenges and intangible costs like customer dissatisfaction and negative online reviews. This article explores how RIS maintenance strategies can minimize these costs.

Costs of Errors

Despite significant advancements in medical imaging technology and the availability of effective error-prevention tools, diagnostic errors still occur. The impact of these errors can be devastating for patients, and the costs associated with them are a major concern for radiology departments like a mess-up to streamline appointment booking. Errors in diagnosis and treatment have been linked to a wide range of complications, including patient deaths. In addition, radiologist errors are among the leading causes of malpractice claims against physicians.

There are a number of reasons why radiology errors may occur, including cognitive biases, miscommunication, and workflow inefficiencies. Fortunately, addressing the most common radiology error sources can significantly reduce the risk of patient harm and improve the quality of care.

A significant source of errors in radiology is the result of poor communication between referring clinicians and the interpreting radiologist. These communication failures can occur at any stage of the imaging cycle, from ordering an examination to communicating results. In fact, communication failures are the third most common cause of malpractice claims against radiologists.

Moreover, many of these communication errors can be avoided with simple, inexpensive fixes. For example, many popular dictation software programs present the radiologist with a template with different fields to dictate into. This forces the radiologist to constantly refer back to the template while attempting to dictate, distracting their attention from the diagnostic images at hand. This can lead to errors in interpreting the images, such as missing or overlooking critical findings.

Another way that radiology errors can be avoided is by using electronic trigger tools and preimaging checklists to detect and prevent errors such as ordering the wrong anatomic side. This type of error, which is often made by untrained staff, can cause substantial patient harm in a variety of ways and produce erroneous electronic health records (EHR) data.

Finally, many errors are caused by inefficient or unreliable radiology workflows, which may be due to a number of factors, including poor training, inadequate documentation, and excessive workloads. These inefficiencies can also lead to rushed examinations, which may lead to inaccurate diagnoses.

A comprehensive radiology workflow analysis can identify inefficient and outdated processes that require improvement. Implementing these improvements can result in a number of benefits, including reduced patient wait times, more accurate and timely reporting, increased productivity, fewer errors, and improved overall patient outcomes.

Costs of Disruptions

Radiologists’ ability to make accurate diagnoses depends on their access to information, which is why a well-functioning Radiology Information System (RIS) is essential. However, a single point of failure can significantly impact the entire imaging workflow. These disruptions can cost the department in terms of financial losses and revenue cycle management challenges, as well as intangible costs like patient satisfaction scores and reputational damage due to negative online reviews.

Equipment malfunctions can occur due to a number of reasons, including mechanical issues, electrical problems, software bugs, and more. While most of these issues are unavoidable, they can lead to significant delays in the diagnostic process. Moreover, they may also compromise the integrity of patient records stored in Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS)—leading to fines for HIPAA violations.

Radiology services are constantly in demand, which is why it’s important for radiology departments to have the latest tools at their disposal. Nevertheless, even the most advanced scanning machines can experience breakdowns. As a result, it’s critical to invest in efficient radiology workflows that minimize interruptions to ensure optimal patient care and safety.

The RIS, which acts as the backbone of the imaging department, integrates various functionalities that range from scheduling procedures to tracking medical history. Additionally, it can help radiologists prioritize patients based on their unique imaging needs. Integrated with the PACS, the RIS allows for a consolidated view of all images, allowing for quick and seamless access to relevant data.

Moreover, the RIS can enable radiologists to provide reports to referring physicians and other healthcare professionals in a timely manner. As such, it can enhance the quality of image interpretations by reducing the amount of time and effort required to prepare them.

In addition, the RIS can facilitate more efficient dictation processes by enabling radiologists to use speech recognition software. Moreover, it can provide a real-time visualization of modality-specific exam volume, staff utilization, and cancellation rates to improve operational efficiency.

The RIS can also connect with the EHR system to send diagnostic results directly back to the physician who ordered them. It can also integrate with a patient portal, giving people who undergo imaging procedures convenient access to their results and improving patient engagement and overall satisfaction.

Costs of Burnout

Radiology is a 24/7 job, and its workforce is at risk for burnout. Several factors contribute to this, including long workdays with after-hours obligations, competing time demands (clinical, academic, and administrative), insufficient personnel, and the high level of accuracy demanded by the profession.

As a result, many radiologists are not as productive or accurate as they could be, which impacts patient outcomes. Additionally, the stress of burnout can cause a decrease in morale and lead to higher turnover rates in radiology staff. This, in turn, leads to a lack of continuity in patient care and delays in report turnaround times.

Equipment failures, unforeseen circumstances, and scheduling conflicts can all disrupt radiologists’ workflow. These disruptions impact patient wait times, create anxiety for patients, and strain the workflow of other healthcare professionals who rely on radiology reports to diagnose and treat patients.

A radiology information system (RIS) that can streamline radiology processes, reduce unnecessary data entry and billing errors, and improve revenue cycle management is a critical piece of any imaging center’s technology infrastructure. An effective RIS will also help to mitigate downtime incidents, which can cost an imaging facility $17,244 per minute of unplanned downtime.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated burnout risks, as radiologists struggle to balance their work load with personal responsibilities. This has led to some radiologists limiting or changing their work hours, sacrificing productivity and professional satisfaction. In the long term, these choices may lead to reduced efficiency, lower quality of patient care, and potentially increased liability exposure.

While the underlying causes of burnout are complex and multifaceted, a streamlined process that allows for optimal patient care delivery while supporting morale and professional fulfillment can make a significant difference. Investing in wellness strategies that go beyond the traditional focus on work relative value units can be a game-changer.

For example, an effective RIS can analyze dynamic workloads and exam volumes to ensure fair and equitable allocation of work based on physician availability and performance. It can also prevent ‘cherry-picking’ of cases, which can dissatisfy radiologists and disrupt the balance of a practice’s overall workflow.

Costs of Regulatory Compliance

The ability to accurately interpret medical imaging results and provide timely reports is essential for the delivery of safe patient care. However, unforeseen circumstances such as physician illness, family emergencies or scheduling conflicts can interfere with a radiology department’s ability to generate reports, leading to delayed diagnoses and treatment for patients. These delays also strain the workflow of healthcare professionals who rely on radiology reports to develop and execute patient care plans.

When it comes to radiology, implementing a seamless workflow requires a combination of digitization, virtualization and integration – supported by real-time data analytics. With the help of a radiology information system (RIS), many imaging centers have been able to streamline appointment scheduling, patient management and reporting. As a result, they can reduce administrative costs and improve patient outcomes.

Unplanned RIS downtimes present significant risks to patient safety, threatening the integrity of a facility’s Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS) which stores critical patient records. Additionally, the loss of a RIS can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive patient data and fines from HIPAA breaches.

To minimize the risk of RIS downtime, radiology departments can implement a scalable RIS solution that allows users to access only the features and data they need. For example, a RIS with role-based security will restrict users from accessing features and data that aren’t relevant to their job function. This will ensure that the system is always available to meet clinical and business requirements.

Efficiently managing incidental findings (AIFs) is another key element of a cost-effective radiology workflow. At our organization, we streamlined radiologist reporting of AIFs by creating a standardized report template integrated with dictation software and by assigning each AIF to a nurse navigator for follow-up. This enables nurses to document the AIF in PACS, track follow-up actions and close the loop with the referring physician and patient.

These seven innovations demonstrate how a scalable, integrated RIS can help imaging centers maximize efficiency and drive revenue while minimizing administrative costs. They also show how digitization, virtualization and integration — supported by real-time data analytics — can be used to create one seamless radiology workflow that’s centered around the patient for better efficiency and quality of care.

Why Your DIY Bookkeeping is Costing You Thousands

October 27, 2024September 25, 2024

Denver-area business owners wear a lot of hats and may not prioritize bookkeeping. However, accurate financial records are critical for avoiding IRS penalties and facilitating future growth. A virtual bookkeeping service can help you stay on top of your finances by tracking your expenses and reconciling accounts.

Gnesist is a finance management company that assists professionals and businesses in Denver. They help clients keep precise records, decrease filing errors, and simplify tax planning. They also provide comprehensive reports for projecting financial patterns and executing strategic decisions for those looking for bookkeeping Denver, CO.

Abacus Accounting Center LLC

Abacus Accounting Center LLC offers bookkeeping solutions for businesses. The firm helps firms note financial transactions precisely and regularly to facilitate investment decisions, transparency with business partners, and operations planning. Its services include accounting system setup, audit protection, and entity type analysis. It also helps clients plan and prepare tax returns, personal returns, C-Corps, S-Corps, sales taxes, and partnerships.

Mountain View Accounting & Tax Services assists small- and medium-sized enterprises in Denver and its surrounding areas. The firm specializes in accounting and tax preparation, QuickBooks consulting and training, and bookkeeping. Its team of certified accountants provides a variety of services, including invoice and payment management, daily transaction classification and categorization, coding and expense reporting, and cash flow management.

Jennica Cassity is a staff bookkeeper at Abacus Accounting Solutions and has been with the company since 2023. She graduated from UMKC Summa Cum Laude with a degree in accounting and has extensive experience with the Quickbooks software. She loves the numbers and enjoys the challenge of solving a complex problem. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and cheering on the Chiefs!

Barta Business Group

The Denver-based company offers comprehensive bookkeeping solutions for small and mid-sized businesses. Its services include monthly bookkeeping, coding and expense categorization, Quickbooks management, payroll, sales tax payments, and more. Its staff is knowledgeable in the system’s processes and can provide clients with advice on the best way to handle their finances.

The Gnesist is a financial management company that assists professionals and business owners in the Denver area. It helps clients maintain precise records, decrease filing errors, avoid unnecessary audits, and simplify tax planning. It also provides comprehensive reports that help clients project financial patterns for better decision-making.

One of the most important things that a good bookkeeper should do is deliver squeaky-clean and precise financial reports by the 15th of each month. If your bookkeeper is not meeting this deadline consistently, it might be time to look for a new one.

The Denver-based team at Barta Business Group provides accounting and bookkeeping services for local and national clients. Their small teams have experience in a variety of industries and work closely with customers to meet their needs. The firm also specializes in providing bookkeeping services for nonprofits. They offer customized bookkeeping solutions and a free consultation to discuss your needs.

Dimov Tax Specialists

This bookkeeping company provides a range of services to individuals and businesses. Its professionals help clients navigate complex tax laws, deductions, and legislation. They also provide tax support and audit defense solutions to minimize sums owed to the government. They stay updated on tax law changes and regulations to ensure their clients’ accuracy and compliance with state and federal laws.

The firm offers a wide variety of services, including individual and corporate taxation, due diligence and attestation work, IRS state resolution, and estate and trust taxation. Its team of experts has more than a decade of experience and works to maximize financial benefits for its clients. They are renowned for their impeccable professionalism and personalized strategy consultations.

This accounting firm is a great choice for small businesses. They provide a full spectrum of business bookkeeping services, including preparing and explaining month-end financial statements, processing payroll via Gusto, and managing accounting and document management. Their team can also assist with the preparation of business tax returns and state sales taxes. They can even manage the company’s budget and create reports that help clients make informed decisions. Their services are highly-rated on all major review platforms. They are available around the clock and provide customized solutions to meet the specific needs of each client.

Gnesist

The bookkeeping services offered by Gnesist help businesses and professionals maintain accurate records, decrease filing errors, and avoid unnecessary audits. They also help clients project financial patterns for planning and executing strategic business decisions. Their client portal makes it easy to access data and files. They also offer customized solutions to meet your business’s unique needs.

In addition to traditional bookkeeping services, this Denver firm offers accounting and tax preparation solutions, assisting clients with their yearly IRS audits. Moreover, they are a certified QuickBooks partner and have been helping small businesses for more than 15 years. They specialize in accounting and payroll services, including preparing profit and loss statements, sales tax, balance sheets, and bank reconciliations.

This Denver-based company provides a wide range of bookkeeping solutions, including expense categorization and receipt management, cash flow analysis, and recoding. It also assists in processing payroll and remitting single and multi-state sales taxes. In addition, it provides business consulting and marketing strategies. It is a great option for small businesses and individuals looking to outsource their bookkeeping needs. Its services are affordable and include a free initial consultation.

Margaux’s Bookkeeping Inc.

If you’re looking for a comprehensive bookkeeping solution in Denver, consider the services offered by Margaux’s Bookkeeping Inc. The company offers a variety of accounting and tax solutions for small businesses. Its services include a complete review of your books, expense categorization, and receipt management. It also helps you manage your cash flow and project future trends in your business. Its team can help you get your financial records organized and ready for the IRS audit.

Founded in 2009, G Biz Bookkeeping is an accounting firm that offers professional financial services for individuals and businesses in Denver. Its professionals offer financial recordkeeping, historical catch-up, QuickBooks setup and training, and troubleshooting. Its other services include preparing monthly and quarterly financial statements, and bank account reconciliation. Its staff members are certified in QuickBooks ProAdvisor.

Located in Aurora, Colorado, G Biz Bookkeeping provides professional and virtual services to individuals and small businesses. Its services include a full review of your financials, bank account reconciliations, budget and cash flow analysis, profit and loss statement preparation, and payroll and sales tax filings. Its team can help you prepare for a tax audit and minimize the amount of money you owe to the IRS.

Sound Advice Bookkeeping

A good bookkeeping service in Denver can save you a lot of time and money. It can also help you avoid mistakes in your taxes and financial decisions. It is important to choose a company that has extensive experience and is specialized in your industry. This will ensure that your financial data is accurate and easy to understand. It will also provide you with reports to project your financial trends for strategic long-term planning.

Amber Kostelny is a Denver-based professional organizer and business coach who uses her skills to improve lives, one organized space and balanced book at a time. She has over 20 years of organizational and QuickBooks expertise. She is passionate about helping people find peace and serenity through organization. She combines her organizational and bookkeeping skills to offer comprehensive services for both residential and commercial clients.

Established by small business owners, Sound Advice Bookkeeping provides quality bookkeeping and accounting services for small businesses, non-profits, and family offices. Their expert bookkeepers can handle a variety of tasks, including monthly bookkeeping, tax preparation, and bank account reconciliation. They can also assist with a variety of other tasks, such as invoice management and payroll services.

The Bottom Line Bookkeeping

The Bottom Line Bookkeeping is a Denver-based bookkeeping service that provides customized financial record-keeping solutions. Its services include tracking expenses, managing receipts, and preparing special reports. The company also helps businesses resolve cash flow issues and solve problems. In addition, it assists business owners with IRS payments and auditing.

Founded in 2016, this firm serves businesses of all sizes. It offers a full suite of financial services and prioritizes accuracy, efficiency, and financial insights. Its team of professionals specializes in all aspects of accounting, including bookkeeping, tax preparation, and payroll. They use a variety of software to provide clients with accurate and detailed data.

Gnesist is a bookkeeping and tax service provider in Denver that helps professional and business clients to manage their finances and tax obligations. Its experts offer a variety of services, including filing returns, providing 1099 service, and establishing bank accounts. They help clients to keep precise records, reduce filing errors, and streamline their tax planning.

Shelby’s Bookkeeping was started when Shelby needed to find a way to support her family while staying at home. She loves her work and believes in empowering local businesses to succeed. Her team can handle all of your accounting needs and provides a personal touch that bigger firms cannot.

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