Administration of a CT Division

Abstract

A computed tomography (CT) division can be viewed as a business subsidiary of a larger corporation-the radiology department. While a large amount of radiologic literature has been devoted to specific CT techniques and applications, there has been less of a focus on the operational structure required to achieve quality and efficiency in a CT division. This report includes discussion of the managerial structure, equipment purchases, continuing education, protocols, billing, and quality assurance measures that can be used to administer a CT division.

Multidetector-row CT: economics and workflow

“…A typical MDCT division structure may include a physician (radiologist) division head or director, a supervisor, manager or chief technologist, MDCT technologists, nurse(s) and receptionists [8]. The radiologist director oversees operation of the CT division and may interact on a daily basis with the supervisor or chief technologist and other technologists and reports directly to the department chairman [8].…”

“…The radiologist director oversees operation of the CT division and may interact on a daily basis with the supervisor or chief technologist and other technologists and reports directly to the department chairman [8]. The director is responsible for the overall function of the division, including equipment purchasing, personnel, education, quality assessment, protocol development and research.…”

“…The chief CT technologist, manager or supervisor implements principles defined by the radiologist director [8]. The CT manager or supervisor recruits and assesses technologists, establishes technologists' schedules, purchases supplies (such as contrast media, linen, intravenous catheters) and verifies the accuracy of examination codes prior to the billing.…”

“…However, now in the MDCT era, continued productivity improvements are not assured unless there is careful analysis of each and every individual task or process that constitutes a complete CT examination (i.e., workflow) [5,7,8]. Apart from the equipment cost and service charges of MDCT scanners, there are considerable overhead charges with CT operations which include cost of CT space charges, shared space (such as halls, changing room and waiting rooms), overhead space (interpretation rooms and management offices), utilities (power, heat, air conditioning), insurance, professional services, scheduling, billing and collection, as well as special depreciation [5,6].…”

“…Apart from the equipment cost and service charges of MDCT scanners, there are considerable overhead charges with CT operations which include cost of CT space charges, shared space (such as halls, changing room and waiting rooms), overhead space (interpretation rooms and management offices), utilities (power, heat, air conditioning), insurance, professional services, scheduling, billing and collection, as well as special depreciation [5,6]. By eliminating or streamlining these activities, it is, however, possible to further increase scanner productivity and favourably impact CT economics, which can allow CT to remain a cost-effective examination despite the higher cost of state-of-the-art MDCT scanners [7,8].…”