Prioritising protocols for optimisation

Many radiology practices have protocols that have grown over the years: variants per scanner, additional sequences, different routines per team. Not every deviation is a problem, but some cost a lot of scanner time every day. We show where a clinical review pays off most in terms of time.

What we analyse

• Frequency times duration: which protocols and sequences occupy the most scanner time in total.
• Variability: protocols whose duration varies widely – an indication of repeats or inconsistent execution.
• Comparisons: the same exam type on different scanners, at different sites or at different times.
• Repeated sequences: how often series are re-acquired, as far as this can be seen from the metadata.

Data we typically use

• Series DICOM headers (protocol and sequence name, series and acquisition times), pseudonymised
• Scanner and site assignment
• optionally RIS data on exam type

Image content is not analysed. We work exclusively with metadata.

Outcome

• Prioritised list of protocols and sequences with the largest time leverage, each with the underlying measurements
• Dashboard on protocol usage and duration by scanner
• Follow-up: after a change, you can measure how the duration has actually developed.

A clear division of responsibilities

Whether and how a protocol is changed is a medical decision. It rests with the responsible radiologists, who weigh image quality and the clinical question. Our analysis provides an organisational prioritisation only: it shows where a review is particularly relevant in terms of time – not what a protocol should look like.

How it runs

1. Analysis: evaluation of DICOM metadata over a representative period.
2. Report and workshop: the prioritised list, discussed with the medical lead and the radiographer team.
3. Implementation (optional): ongoing evaluation, so that the effect of adjustments remains visible.

The foundation is the measured scan durations and their spread.