Project graph technique for time management in abdominal ultrasound evaluations

German insurance companies are cutting down the time required for ultrasound examinations. To determine the minimal examination time to perform an ultrasound examination a project graph technique was applied. Time measurements of abdominal ultrasound examinations were performed by two independent ob...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inUltraschall in der Medizin Vol. 20; no. 6; p. 236
Main Authors Teichgräber, U K, Benter, T, Klühs, L, Schröder, R J, Hidajat, N, Dörken, B, Felix, R
Format Journal Article
LanguageGerman
Published Germany 01.12.1999
Subjects
Abdomen - diagnostic imaging
Germany
Hospitals
Humans
Insurance, Health
Private Practice
Time Factors
Ultrasonography - methods
Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
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Summary:German insurance companies are cutting down the time required for ultrasound examinations. To determine the minimal examination time to perform an ultrasound examination a project graph technique was applied. Time measurements of abdominal ultrasound examinations were performed by two independent observers. The different jobs for the performance of an ultrasound examination were determined and the critical pathway method applied. The total available time for abdominal ultrasound examinations (leeway) was determined, the minimal time to perform each job was measured and the critical time required for the procedure was calculated. 14 different jobs were identified to complete one abdominal ultrasound examination. The project graph displayed the shortest possible time of 24 minutes to perform an ultrasound examination. The pure ultrasound exam without colour Doppler examination was 6 minutes ("hands on the ultrasound probe"). The jobs performed by the physician were fully within the critical period. In consequence, the physician had no leeway or time lag in relation to a total time of 24 minutes for an ultrasound examination, whereas by contrast the nurse has a total leeway of 7.5 minutes. The applied project graph technique is an effective instrument for the purpose of quality management for hospitals as well as in private practice. The workflow and actions necessary to perform a treatment or examination can be analysed. Human resources management and cost planning should be performed on the basis of project graphs.
ISSN:0172-4614
1438-8782