Improving timeliness of radiology imaging scheduling at a comprehensive cancer center: A quality improvement initiative.

Abstract

e23283 Background: Timely radiologic imaging is essential for diagnosis, staging, and treatment monitoring in oncology care. At the University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, the average time to schedule radiologic examinations was 11 days, contributing to delays in care and reduced patient satisfaction. A quality improvement initiative was implemented to reduce imaging scheduling time by 50% (to ≤5.5 days), with a long-term goal of near–real-time scheduling. Methods: In 2025, a multidisciplinary team evaluated radiology scheduling workflows and identified key drivers of delay, including off-site scheduling, protocolization of repeat oncologic studies, and staffing limitations. Interventions included stationing a dedicated radiology scheduler at the cancer center and exempting previously performed standard cancer imaging from repeat protocolization. Computed tomography (CT) was prioritized due to high utilization. Scheduling times from June 1 to December 11, 2025, were compared with the pre-intervention period (May 2024–May 2025). Average days to order completion, which was time from order entered till radiology report was complete and available, was also tracked. Patient experience was assessed using post-scheduling surveys. Results: Post-intervention, the overall mean scheduling time for all exams, including CT scans, decreased as shown in below table. Run-chart analysis demonstrated pre intervention steady state, a sustained improvement over time, and all post-intervention months meeting the target of ≤5.5 days except for a single outlier in October. With the new process, 90% of patients scheduled their imaging before leaving the cancer center. Patient surveys showed a 98% satisfaction rate with the new process and 86% of patients felt it was convenient to schedule their exams on site at the cancer center. Conclusions: Embedding radiology scheduling within a cancer center resulted in substantial and sustained reductions in imaging scheduling delays. This cost neutral, scalable intervention improved access to high-volume oncologic imaging and may Imaging scheduling and completion times pre- and post-intervention. Modality Avg Days to Schedule Imaging (Pre) Avg Days to Schedule Imaging (Post) Absolute Change (Days) Percent Change Avg Days to Order Completion (Pre) Avg Days to Order Completion (Post) Absolute Change (Days) PercentChange PET/CT 9.09 4.04 −5.05 −56% 37.90 15.18 −22.72 −60% MRI 13.32 6.62 −6.70 −50% 41.58 16.27 −25.31 −61% CT 15.39 9.58 −5.81 −38% 51.95 24.58 −27.37 −53% IR Biopsy 2.36 2.77 +0.41 +17% 11.60 8.96 −2.64 −23% Mammogram 1.95 0.75 −1.20 −62% 31.53 9.62 −21.91 −69% Ultrasound 3.88 1.17 −2.71 −70% 19.54 10.18 −9.36 −48%