Practice Management

Hi Dave - The RBMA Data Committee tackled this question in the last couple months.  Thanks to those who replied to the Quality Survey.   We are working with a PhD with Health Analytics background to make recommendations on the quality data collected and how best to present to the RBMA members.   There were 199 respondents to roughly 15 topic questions, and it was a long survey.

In short, on the area of ED TAT  the data showed  "TAT definitions and expectations varied widely among respondents.  A typical performance standard for hospital-based practices is 30 minutes or less for ED studies."   

We didn't collect feedback yet on outlier definitions.  In my practice, we look at trends by radiologist, shift aggregated work RVU, and occasionally focus on the upper control limit of 3 StdDev.   Most often, we find that the delayed TAT was related to a tech issue.  (Needed 3D images, some deficiency in the image presentation, technology gap, etc. and the "End Exam" benchmark didn't truly reflect this additional work.  

We use "Exam End" to "actionable result" which usually is a Final with signature, but can also be when the prelim findings are communicated to the ED and documented in the EMR or PACs.

RBMA leaders have suggested that the Data Committee do a Hot Topic poll on this subject.   Given the 199 respondents on the Quality Survey, and other Hot Topics in queue, hope this info tides us over.   Also happy to share the narratives on the TAT response, but is lengthy and shows the wide variety of metrics in use by practices.

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Beth Williams MHA, FACMPE
Executive Director
Vantage Radiology and Diagnostic Services
Federal Way WA
(253) 661-1700 ext. 1105
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-14-2019 11:09
From: David Smith
Subject: TAT Thresholds

Can anyone share what thresholds you or your hospitals have established for turnaround times in a hospital setting, beyond which the case would be considered an outlier to be investigated?

 

Please indicate the timestamp used (i.e. order to report signature, exam completion to signature, etc.).

 

Main focus would be STAT/ER, but interested in others too.

 

Thanks

 

Dave

 

David Smith, FACMPE  |  Executive Director  |  785.393.8387

5800 Foxridge Dr.  Ste 240  |  Mission, KS  66202  |  www.uickc.com

 

Original Message------

Hi Dave - The RBMA Data Committee tackled this question in the last couple months.  Thanks to those who replied to the Quality Survey.   We are working with a PhD with Health Analytics background to make recommendations on the quality data collected and how best to present to the RBMA members.   There were 199 respondents to roughly 15 topic questions, and it was a long survey.

In short, on the area of ED TAT  the data showed  "TAT definitions and expectations varied widely among respondents.  A typical performance standard for hospital-based practices is 30 minutes or less for ED studies."   

We didn't collect feedback yet on outlier definitions.  In my practice, we look at trends by radiologist, shift aggregated work RVU, and occasionally focus on the upper control limit of 3 StdDev.   Most often, we find that the delayed TAT was related to a tech issue.  (Needed 3D images, some deficiency in the image presentation, technology gap, etc. and the "End Exam" benchmark didn't truly reflect this additional work.  

We use "Exam End" to "actionable result" which usually is a Final with signature, but can also be when the prelim findings are communicated to the ED and documented in the EMR or PACs.

RBMA leaders have suggested that the Data Committee do a Hot Topic poll on this subject.   Given the 199 respondents on the Quality Survey, and other Hot Topics in queue, hope this info tides us over.   Also happy to share the narratives on the TAT response, but is lengthy and shows the wide variety of metrics in use by practices.

------------------------------
Beth Williams MHA, FACMPE
Executive Director
Vantage Radiology and Diagnostic Services
Federal Way WA
(253) 661-1700 ext. 1105
------------------------------

Original Message------

Thanks, Beth.  I suspect there are a host of others like David and myself, who are interested in the overall survey results.  Like David, I too, was interested in the ED TAT metric.  Thanks for sharing those preliminary results.

 

The Data Committee is going a fantastic job.  Thanks for the hard work.

 

Tim Barrett, CPA

Chief Executive Officer

8230 Summa Ave.,| Suite C | Baton Rouge, LA  70809-3421

office  (225) 757-0552 | fax  (225) 763-9997

tbarrett@lakeradiology.com