A Design Protocol to Develop Radiology Dashboards

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This is a review of a paper submitted by Mahtab Karami. [1]

Research question:

What design protocols are needed to develop a useable radiology dashboard?

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to introduce a design protocol for the development of radiology dashboards. The author conducted a study to apply dashboards that could help managers to enhance performance, productivity and quality of services in a radiology department. Dashboards were used for evaluating and improving departmental processes. They were also used as monitoring indicators needed to review patient records and document the effects of diagnostic imaging on the care outcome. Without dashboards, traditionally this was found to be costly in staff time and labor. [1]

Introduction

Standard sets of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) should be used as key tools for evaluating and improving departmental processes as data collection methodology becomes quickly outdated and requires new technology. Dashboards are an intellectual and visual tools used for monitoring KPIs. KPIs are able to capture key data from different systems. This data is then summarized on a display in real-time with easier reading and interpretation for users.[1] Dashboards technology can facilitate informed, optimized decisions about workflow by linking directly to the electronic information systems and provide the right information in a right format at the right time to monitor productivity in order to improve performance and effectiveness activities. [1]

Methods

This development research was conducted from 2012 to 2014 and consisted of the following four steps. Determine Key Performance Indicators for the radiology department. Determine a comprehensive model for designing of dashboards. Determine required infrastructure for implementation of Radiology Management Dashboards. Determine the key criteria for assessing the dashboards.[1]

Results/Conclusion

The findings, based on the research steps, produced 92 KPIs, 10 main features for designing dashboards and 53 key criteria for dashboard evaluation. [1] These requirements generated prototype radiology management dashboards supporting four aspects including services, clients, personnel and cost-income. Other key points considered in designing the dashboards involved considering organizational culture, determining the goal of dashboards design, involving users, aligning with organizational goals, determining KPIs and benchmark standards, data, knowledge discovery, flexibility, security, time frame, representation, and dashboards assessment.[1]

Comments

This study presents a check list of things to be considered in developing Radiology Dashboards. This design protocol can also be applied in developing other medical dashboards as well. The important points being made were to get stakeholders involved early to define KPIs and be able to define key criteria that can be measured and evaluated. This design protocol can be a standard as data and technologies are subjected to change.

Reference

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 A Design Protocol to Develop Radiology Dashboards, ACTA INFORMATICA MEDICA. 2014 OCT 22(5): 341-346 / REVIEW. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4272837/ (Accessed on 3 Oct 2015).