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Milestones

2009		MRI Safety Team Implantable Device Database The MRI Safety team identified the benefits of having a Partners-wide database to store MRI safety information regarding the effects of implantable objects/devices. This database will provide the MRI teams with an additional resource to Shellocks, and it will reduce the duplication of work because upon researching a device once the information will be entered into the database for future reference by any PHS site. Partners Radiology website redesigned In order to share information among the entities and make collaboration easier, the Partners Radiology website was created in 2003. The redesign in 2009, completed with the assistance of Studio 180, allowed us to improve the user experience and take advantage of additional capabilities. Partners Radiology Research and Education Retreat All residents, fellows, and researchers at BWH, MGH, and other Partners institutions are invited and encouraged to attend the Partners Radiology Research and Education Retreat on March 26, 2009 from 8:00 am to 1:30 pm at The Joseph B. Martin Conference Center at Harvard Medical School. Contrast Safety - Phase III In 2008, tracking of contrast reactions is epanded to include MR reactions. The goal is to improve patient safety by developing uniform policies and procedures for use of contrast media throughout the imaging departments. This is achieved by standardizing reaction definitions and communication processes, and by creation of a reaction monitoring dashboard. In 2009 MR tracking will continue, along with the addtion of Interventional and other contrast exams. CT Dose Optimization: Adults Standard dose protocols for adult patients are being developed across Partners radiology departments. The overall goal is to develop and implement CT Dose Protocols to be used across the Partners entities and to reduce the variability of dose for all patients receiving CT exams at the different entities. Non-Routine Results Reporting - Phase III The committee begins to develop educational reference tools to facilitate education of the interpreting radiologists for these new standards and to promote compliance. Each radiology department will monitor and measure compliance with the standards for non-routine communication of Level 1 Results and will be responsible for taking appropriate actions to assure adherence to the standards.
2008		Non-Routine Results Reporting - Phase II In Phase II of this initiative the workgroup extended the Partners Radiology Standards for Non-Routine Results Reporting to include Level 2 and Level 3 findings, following a similar process and framework as was used for Level 1. The Partners Radiology Standards for Non-Routine Results Reporting was reviewed and approved by the chiefs of radiology and administrative leadership at each hospital in December 2008. Master Description – Duplicate Warning List In order to make the process of identifying similar exams easier, Partners Radiology collected and organized the list of CPT descriptions used for common radiology exams. This list is used by the electronic ordering systems to identify possible duplicate exam orders, thereby improving patient care and decreasing the likelihood of unnecessary radiation exposure. The list can also be used as a lookup table for those facilities that do not currently employ an electronic ordering system. Development of Quality and Performance Metrics At the 2008 Quality and Safety Retreat, several issues were identified for Partners Radiology reporting goals; Non-Routine Results Reporting, Report turn around time, and Contrast Reactions. The goal is to improve efficiency and patient safety by identifying best practices and creating a system-wide standard for reporting of quality and performance indicators.
2007		Site of Service Reporting Partners Radiology identified a need for regular reporting showing where high cost imaging procedures ordered by network physicians are performed, detailed by individual procedure and site of service. The request for this data comes from the Administrative Directors of the Radiology Departments, for the purposes of improving operations. Prior Authorization Process Improvement (PAPI) The goal is to identify the methods used by Partners institutions to obtain and process payer-mandated prior authorization for outpatient radiology, quantify individual and system direct costs associated with this administrative process, and continue work with the contracting team to reduce variation in processes where possible. CT Dose Optimization: Pediatrics Standard dose protocols for pediatric patients are implemented across Partners radiology departments. The overall goal is to develop and implement CT Dose Protocols to be used across the Partners entities and to reduce the variability of dose for all patients receiving CT exams at the different entities. Imaging Guidelines Committee - Head/Brain The Imaging Guidelines Committee for Head/Brain Imaging is comprised of a group of experts from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital. These experts, from Radiology and Neurology, are dedicated to the effective use of imaging for headache and proper utilization of imaging for our patients.
2006		Patient Falls Training Module The goal is to prevent patient falls and ensure the safety of patients while in the department of radiology at any of the Partners hospitals. Contrast Safety - Phase II In 2006, staff began to enter reactions into the LMR (Longitudinal Medical Record). The goal is to create a process which insures that CT contrast reactions experienced by patients are entered into the LMR, thereby providing up to date information for all Partners affiliates that may care for the patient. Interventional Radiology Teamwork Training The goal is to reduce variability in processes, develop a program that can be shared across the enterprise, and enhance patient safety in IR by improving teamwork and establishing effective communication tools Non-routine Results Reporting - Phase I The goal is to improve efficiency and patient safety by identifying best practices and creating a system-wide standard for reliable and timely reporting for non-routine diagnostic imaging findings.
2005		MJ Ryan’s WFD Case Study published In 2005, after the Partners Radiology Workforce Development Imaging Scholarship/Loan Forgiveness program had been in operation for several years, MJ Ryan published a case study outlining the reasons for development of the program and the successes realized to that point. Patient and Site Identification Training Module The group aims for a universal training module design for each of key radiology patient safety issues. After the completion of the training, participants will be evaluated periodically by the department preceptor with the completion of competencies designed specifically for issue addressed in the training.
2004		Formation of Partners Quality Management and Patient Safety Team The Partners Quality Management and Patient Safety Team was formed to look at quality management and patient safety issues across the system. It is a multidisciplinary team from all Partners radiology departments who work collaboratively to address issues and implement best practices. Reduction of Critical Wait Times in Breast Imaging The goal is to determine the current wait time elapsed between the performance of a screening/diagnostic mammogram and the receipt of a final diagnosis across the system, and decrease that time to 10 working days or less, while maintaining the quality of patient care and diagnosis. Reduction of Sentinel & Adverse Events in Radiology The goal is to reduce the number of sentinel events experienced across the system. Projects have included; Patient and Site Identification, Patient Falls, and the Interventional Team Training projects.
2003		Contrast Safety - Phase I The goal is to improve patient safety by developing uniform policies and procedures for use of contrast media in radiology. This is achieved by standardizing reaction definitions and communication processes, and by creation of a reaction monitoring dashboard. In addition, a listserv was created to allow staff to quickly and easily report issues to peers across the enterprise. Partners Radiology first website created In order to share information among the entities and make collaboration easier, the Partners Radiology website was created. This website has both public and private areas, which allows the sharing of internal documents, as well as allows access to users outside of the Partners network in order to share information about the field of imaging. The website was redesigned in 2009 with the assistance of Studio 180, a company that has designed and redesigned several other Partners websites. Formation of Partners Radiology Patient Safety Team The PRPST Team is a multi-disciplinary group committed to improving patient safety in radiology by sharing patient safety best practices, promoting a blame free reporting environment and establishing patient safety educational and awareness programs. Partners Radiology moves to 101 Merrimac Street, Boston Partners Radiology Administrative Offices 101 Merrimac St – 3rd Flr Boston, MA 02114 Quality and Performance Reporting In 2003, Partners Radiology initiated its Quality and Performance Reporting with the tracking and reporting of the rate of CT contrast reactions. Subsequent reporting has included report turn around time, non-routine results reporting and MR contrast reactions. Signature Initiative #5 Trend Management Work Plan The group previously known at the Signature Initiatives #5 - Trend Management Team is now known as High Performance Medicine Team 5. The goal of Partners Radiology is to work with Team 5 to manage utilization of high-cost imaging via use of consensus driven, system-wide guidelines.
2002		Formation of Partners CT Contrast Team The Partners CT contrast team was formed to look at the issue of contrast reactions experienced by patients across the system. Although Partners contrast reaction rates are less than 1%, the team looked to improve this rate and decrease reactions wherever possible. Reactions are reported internally on the web site on a monthly basis for CT. MR and other contrast related reactions will be reported beginning in 2009.
2001		First Partners Radiology Research Award The Research and Education committees were formed to foster collaboration between the academic medical centers of Partners Healthcare Systems, Inc. The first Partners Radiology Research award was awarded in 2001. The award promotes clinical and basic research in the field of imaging, and relationship building between the investigators at the BWH and MGH. Upon inception, it was agreed that there will only be one award. Partners Radiology Workforce Development Scholarship/Loan Forgiveness Program Launched Partners Radiology saw the need to address the ongoing radiologic technologist shortage, and along with the Boston Private Industry Council, launched this scholarship/loan forgiveness program. Within two years, Partners was able to successfully recruit and support more than 80 new radiologic technologists from initial interest through graduation. The recruitment effort helped reduce the utilization of temporary/agency personnel that cost the system more than $6 million in 2001. The system utilized a multi-disciplinary team of professionals at multiple levels in the organization to achieve significant results in a relatively short period of time. Reduction of Repeats due to Positioning Project The goal is to standardize positioning criteria and methods for the MLO and CC projections, to reduce the repeat rate by obtaining acceptable images with the first exposure, and to provide a resource for the staff for positioning and other questions. Whole Body CT Position Paper Whole Body CT Scan is defined as non-contrast scanning of the whole torso, and therefore it is not organ or disease specific. Whole Body CT Scans should not be confused with focused evaluation using the CT Scan as an 'early detection test' in patients at high risk for colon cancer (CT colonography), lung cancer and coronary artery disease. Partners Radiology strongly opposes the use of the Whole Body CT Scan as a screening test.
2000		Formation of Partners Radiology Breast Imaging Committee In the late spring of 2000, the breast imaging activities which were formerly addressed by the New Ventures Committee were transferred to a newly established Breast Imaging Committee chaired by Dr. Norman Sadowsky. The goal of the committee is to improve overall mammography quality and patient care.
1997		Partners Radiology Community LLC Formed This non-profit corporation is a legal entity organized on 6/12/97 to transact business in Massachusetts and was set up to pay bills of the corporation (initially for community imaging programs such as Hawthorne Medical). PRC, LLC will dissolve in 2017.
1994		Founding of Partners Radiology: BWH & MGH Partners Radiology – Founded in May, 1994, soon after Partners HealthCare was formed. BWH & MGH Radiology are the founding members of Partners Healthcare Systems, Inc. Member hospitals now include: Faulkner Hospital, Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, McLean Hospital, Nantucket Cottage Hospital, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, and North Shore Medical Center (Salem & Union).