A practical approach to quality improvement in medium sized radiology departments

Quality maintenance and improvement in radiology departments is a dynamic process, driven in part by rapid technological advancements. The setting for this article is an academic radiology department with 29 staff radiologists. With limited resources and a bottom-up strategy, we have successfully reduced radiation dose with the introduction of iterative reconstruction techniques and implemented a 'walk-in' CT service, allowing patients to undergo imaging without needing a prior appointment. The radiological and management literature mainly describes extensive quality management systems. However, such comprehensive quality management systems are often not feasible outside large radiology departments. In this article, we present a practical example as a blueprint for managing quality in our department, more specifically the CT unit. In the example, we focus on contrast reduction using spectral dual-layer computed tomography (DLCT). We outline how in smaller sized radiology departments changes can be implemented safely and effectively into daily clinical practice. Our approach emphasizes key principles: regular meetings with a multi-disciplinary team, radiographers taking the lead, simple and fast picture archiving and communication system (PACS) integrated feedback, and rapid change cycles. Although implementing new knowledge, technology and ideas will incur some costs and depend on local culture and specific settings, we believe this article can serve as a valuable guide for radiology departments of all sizes.