Operational Aspects Of The Radiology Department

Radiologic technology is a satisfying and rewarding career. It is a technical and refined science. As a radiological technologist, there are many essential duties and responsibilities that have to be fulfilled in order to be a good one. First of all, radiological technologists have to maintain a well-mannered and professional behavior when gathering information. They have to assure their patients that they are in good hands therefore; they give patients the uppermost quality of care and services. Second of all, the main responsibility of a healthcare provider is to keep all knowledge of a patient’s health record confidential or secluded. That means radiological technologists cannot talk about patients at home or with friends and classmates

There are diverse interdisciplinary relationships in the health care system. Among these relationships include radiology, working in the emergency room, or working in a pharmaceutical company, functioning effectively as a team for best results. The marketing department needs to work together with the development department to ensure the provision of effective services, support and stability. As a medical discipline, Radiology utilizes images, via diverse physical agents and techniques including X-ray, radiography, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography, magnetic fields to diagnose and treat diseases, ( ). Also, professionals make adequate use of intervention radiology (generally minimum invasive) medical procedures, aided by the use of imaging technology to diagnose and treat diseases. ( ).

Strategic Planning is an essential first step in the development of a result-base accountability system,” (Schilder, 2013, p. 1). In strategic planning an organization must know their goals, missions, and how to reach them. Health care facilities are in huge demand for the elderly and for people who lives in low-income communities. A person who receives good quality health care services can prevent the spread of contagious diseases. This paper will describe the need of the community, population it is serving, and a brief description of the facility.

The organization strategic plan consists of addressing clinical quality, growth, and becoming a larger part of the community, and providing long term value. The annual report states the following strategic goals (Bon Secours, 2012):

An agency’s strategic plan defines the agency’s objectives, missions and the methods that will be use to measure the agency’s progress in tackling certain national problems, needs, or challenges related to its operation over the course of at least five years. Every individual in the department contribute to the development of the strategic plan by creating the description, performance goals, and strategies for the plan. The HHS department members ensured that the strategy aligns with the department’s annual GPRA reporting in congressional budget justifications and the summary of performance and financial information. The United States Department of Health and Human Services strategic plan for the next four years (2014-2018) are reinforcing health care, improving innovation and scientific knowledge, enhancing the safety, health and comfort of the American people, and ensure efficiency, transparency, accountability, and the value of HHS programs (HHS,

Due to many changes in health service organizations’ internal and external environment, planning can be sometimes onerous (Longest & Darr, 2008, p. 366). Therefore, a well thought strategic plan will guide leaders and keep them focus on the organization’s mission. In health service organizations, strategic planning is emanated at the top level of the pyramid, then pass down to others in leadership positions (Longest & Darr, 2008, p. 366). A strategic planning process consists of many steps: a situational analysis, external environment analysis, internal environment analysis, strategy formulation, strategic implementation, and strategic control. As mentioned before, health service organization faced many challenges, a strategic planning not only helps with planning, controlling, and decision making, but it also allows management to analyze their strengths and weaknesses, as well as opportunities and threats. Again, the strategic planning process has proven to be effective when implemented by the entire organization.

By adopting these, a more familiar atmosphere can be created where a radiographer knows what is expected of him and who is he working with. This will help in minimizing the risk factor and improving efficiency(NHS National reporting and learning service 2008).( National Patient Safety Agency, 2009).

The paper offers a simulation model describing the X-ray departments operations in the county hospital. It can be used for testing various process scenarios, for allocation of resources and also conduct activity based cost analysis. The simulation model is used for demonstrating a new operational method that makes the operations at the X-ray department more effective. The operational method is referred to as Triage team method. This method has been it is been studied from two view points. The results showed that the method enhances the X-ray department if properly implemented and it incorporates all the required tasks.

There are not any gasps in the knowledge base and the author seems to be well informed about communication in radiography, from first view the content of abstract is well organised with clear rationale aims to perform a qualitative study (Bassett,2004).

Radiology is a medical specialty that uses different imagaing technologies to diagnose and to treat many different diseases and injuries that are inside the human body. Being a professional in the health care environment today is a very important job. The American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) created a mandatory continuing education (CE) exam for all radiologic technologist. The ARRT defines the continuing education requirements as "planned, organized and administered to enhance the knowledge and skills underlying the professional performance that the technologist uses to provide services to patients, the public or the medical profession. To qualify as a CE activity, it must provide sufficient depth and scope of a subject area."

Strategic Planning: Due to the current issues, both internally and externally, the organization is facing, Dr. Townsend is challenged to prepare an action plan to implement the proposed strategy needed to restore the organization back to financial health and improve the morale among the physicians and support staff. Another course of planning Dr. Townsend will challenge is the organizations old structure into a way that all patients will be satisfied.

Improving the quality of health care system is the main goal of this organization. In this case study we will be talking about the strategic plans being made by the organization for the next decade to deal with the problems of resource management, network growth, patient satisfaction as well as nurse staffing. The readiness of the organization towards catering the citizens' needs for health care will also be discussed in this case study (Goetsch and Davis, 2010).

These health care organizations have two types of planning to follow, and they are tactical and strategic planning. When tactical planning takes place, there is a short term goal in mind (Society for Human Resource Management, 2102). The course of action for a tactical plan is to achieve a goal within a year or less time period (Society for Human Resource Management, 2102). A tactical plan has a smaller scope and shorter time span than a strategic plan (Society for Human Resource Management, 2102). It takes several tactical plans to achieve the strategic plan (Society for Human Resource Management, 2102). Strategic planning differs from tactical planning, because in strategic plan, the course of action is to achieve goals for the long term (Society for Human Resource Management, 2102). Strategic planning goals are usually wanted to be completed with five years (Society for Human Resource Management, 2102). The organization’s mission statement purpose and direction are reflected upon strategic planning (Society for Human Resource Management, 2102). Top management must view reports on operations, external environments and finances when looking to develop a strategic plan (Society for Human Resource Management, 2102). The development of tactical plans are influenced by strategic plans (Society for Human Resource Management, 2102).

Technologists assist the radiologist during specific procedures and lastly and most importantly they assist the patients while in his or her care because the patient is the most important person in the hospital.

Having a clear vision is extremely important in order to accomplish goals in life and a well-defined strategy is essential in order to fulfill that vision, thereby, both visioning and strategic thinking go hand in hand. As Souba (2004) states that, “[v]ision without a strategy is a daydream; strategy without vision is a nightmare’” (p. 447). It is evident how this competency is essential in each and every sector, in my opinion; this competency will help in the betterment of healthcare sector as well. This paper will address the importance of having a clear strategy and vision pertaining to the healthcare sector and illustrating a case in the light of it.