Not long ago, AdventHealth experienced high demand for advanced MRI services at its Central and East Florida locations. The health system’s centralized MRI services at its Orlando location, while efficient, pointed to areas where AdventHealth could provide a more consumer-centric experience.
PROBLEM
Expanding advanced MRI services to community hospitals also poses its own challenges. These locations do not have the same level of advanced training or standardized imaging protocols as the main facility. This opens the door to Inconsistencies in processes can lead to delays and impact the patient experience.
By reducing the need for patients to travel and wait With advanced imaging, staff knew they could make a significant impact. Staff also wanted to standardize protocols across community campuses to maintain consistently high image quality and reduce the need for rescans.
PROPOSE
“To address these challenges, we proposed a virtual MRI program designed to decentralize our MRI services while maintaining high standards of care,” said Ike Ichite, vice president of imaging services at AdventHealth’s Central Florida Division. “The program utilizes cutting-edge virtual care technology to facilitate real-time collaboration between experienced technologists and multiple scanning locations.
“The core idea is to provide remote guidance and support through live audio, chat and video capabilities, allowing technologists at “Community facilities perform advanced MRI scans at the same level as our main facility,” he explained.
The virtual operating center is designed to streamline operations by eliminating the need for unnecessary patient transfers to the Orlando facility. This approach is intended to significantly reduce hospital stays and outpatient wait times.
By standardizing imaging protocols and providing ongoing remote support, staff can ensure consistent high-quality imaging across all locations. The technology promises to improve operational efficiency, improve patient satisfaction, and reduce the frequency of repeat studies – ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and aligning with AdventHealth’s service standards of “Keep Me Safe,” “Love Me,” “Make It Easy,” and “Own It,” Ichite said.
Facing the Challenge
The virtual MRI program implementation started with three sites, later expanding to 14 sites as the program proved successful. Experienced technology experts from the central site provided remote support to up to three scanning sites at a time. This was facilitated through advanced integration including live audio, chat and video capabilities, ensuring real-time communication and support.
“The FDA-approved vendor software was initially integrated with Siemens MRI scanners but has been expanded to include other vendors, such as Philips,” Ichite notes. “Remote technologists can assist with protocol adjustments, troubleshooting, and quality assurance of imaging studies. This setup allows us to maintain high standards of image quality and consistency across all participating sites.
“The integration also includes training programs for local frontline “This collaborative approach not only improves the quality of imaging studies, but also increases the confidence and skills of local technologists and frontline radiologists. The system is designed to integrate seamlessly into our existing workflow, ensuring minimal disruption and maximum efficiency.”
RESULT
AdventHealth has achieved significant improvements in operational efficiency. The implementation of the virtual MRI program resulted in a 94% reduction in inpatient MRI transfers. This change alone shortened hospital stays by at least 24 hours per patient, reducing the cost of care and improving access to hospital beds for the community.
Additionally, cardiac MRI services grew 42%, significantly improving patient access to specialist care.
“The quality of our imaging studies has improved dramatically,” Ichite reports. “Since implementation, we have performed more than 3,000 advanced MRIs through the virtual platform. The repeat study rate has dropped to zero, indicating a significant improvement in the initial quality of the imaging studies.
“Remote protocol adjustments were made 600 times, further ensuring the accuracy and quality of scans,” he continued. “This reduction in repeat studies not only improves operational efficiency but also improves patient experience and satisfaction.”
The provision of advanced outpatient MRI studies with next-day scheduling at multiple locations has significantly reduced patient wait times. This improvement in accessibility and convenience has had a positive impact on patient satisfaction.
“Patients no longer have to wait weeks for an appointment, and the decentralized approach has made advanced MRI services more accessible at locations closer to patients’ homes,” Ichite notes.
ADVICE FOR OTHERS
For healthcare providers considering adopting similar virtual care technologies, Ichite offers the following advice based on AdventHealth’s experience:
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Ensure virtual care technology integrates seamlessly into existing systems and workflows. Resourcefulness and creativity are key.
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Invest in comprehensive training programs for employees to familiarize them with new technology and standardized protocols.
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Begin with a phased rollout, initially focusing on a few sites to collect data and demonstrate improvements in operational efficiency, image quality, and patient satisfaction.
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Collaborate with all stakeholders – including technology experts, physicians, radiologists, IT, providers, and administrative staff – to build a strong support system for virtual care technology implementation.
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ONEAlways prioritize the patient experience. The ultimate goal of implementing virtual care technology is to improve patient outcomes, reduce wait times, and enhance the overall patient experience.
“By keeping the patient at the center of every effort, you can ensure that technology truly delivers value to patients and their care teams,” Ichite concludes.
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