Workflow analysis has the potential to dramatically improve the efficiency and clinical outcomes of medical procedures. In this study, we recorded the workflow for nerve block and facet block procedures in the interventional radiology suite at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC, USA. We employed a custom client/server software architecture developed by the Innovation Center for Computer Assisted Surgery (ICCAS) at the University of Leipzig, Germany. This software runs in an internet browser, and allows the user to record the actions taken by the physician during a procedure. The data recorded during the procedure is stored as an XML document, which can then be further processed. We have successfully gathered data on a number if cases using a tablet PC, and these preliminary results show the feasibility of using this software in an interventional radiology setting. We are currently accruing additional cases and when more data has been collected we will analyze the workflow of these procedures to look for inefficiencies and potential improvements.

Date Published: 16 March 2006
PDF: 8 pages
Proc. SPIE 6145, Medical Imaging 2006: PACS and Imaging Informatics, 61450B (16 March 2006); doi: 10.1117/12.654482

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 6145:
Medical Imaging 2006: PACS and Imaging Informatics
Steven C. Horii; Osman M. Ratib, Editor(s)