Author(s) :

Benjamin, Henry, Stephen.

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Abstract :

Background: An organizational workflow is a set of processes involving a group of people and necessary resources to achieve a predetermined goal. It is a reproducible pattern of action taken daily to achieve a particular task. Consequent to the pivotal role of the radiation medicine department in modern medicine, it has many steps and processes comprising different staff, rooms and equipment. Patients are normally passed from one step to another in a series of chains of workflow which when disrupted results in a high patient service delay, hence the need to examine the workflow pattern. This study aimed to assess the workflow pattern, identify its barriers, and highlight areas that need improvements to reduce patient waiting time and foster exemplary patient care. Material and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional survey of all the staff working in the radiation medicine department of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Nigeria was carried out using 84 semi-structured questionnaires of which 70 were completed and returned (83.3% response rate). Results: The major factors affecting the workflow pattern of the department are shortage of staff 36(58.1%), inadequate modern technologies 27(38.6%), equipment breakdown 27(38.6%), and inadequate power supply 23(32.9%). It was also revealed that the major areas that need improvement are the reporting 22(31.4%) and reception/registration area 20(28.6%). Conclusion: More hands are required in image reporting. A dedicated unit and computer system for costing in the reception area, and an uninterrupted power supply are required to meet the current demand and bolster the quality of imaging services.

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