Additional Clinical Assistant Improves Inpatient access to CT at RMH

Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) experienced an increase in inpatient & outpatient demand for CT exams resulting in increasing CT wait times. Additionally, CT scanner idle time was measured at 18% - 25% with Clinical Assistant (CAs) shortages noted as the root cause.

To rectify the above issue, RMH employed one additional 1 full-time CA and assigned 2 CAs specifically to the CT area. Additionally, the CT CAs were responsible for organising the scheduling (rather than being part of the general CA pool covering all modalities).

The additional CA and realignment of responsibilities resulted in significant improvements. Specifically, an increase in CT throughput by an average of 2.6 patients per day was noted – likely a result of reducing equipment idle time (from 25% to 3%). The investment in an additional CA in the imaging department has an estimated return on investment of $130K per annum.

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