Embedding imaging within emergency: A satellite model for enhanced patient-centred care.

Abstract

In order to improve efficiency and meet rising demand for emergency-referred imaging examinations, a new satellite imaging department has been established within the emergency department (ED) of a major metropolitan hospital. This initiative was designed to improve access and responsiveness for emergency patients requiring X-ray, CT and ultrasound services. The project involved relocating emergency imaging from the central medical imaging department to a dedicated ED-based facility, exclusively serving emergency presentations. This separation from inpatient and outpatient workflows allows imaging staff the ability to focus exclusively on emergency cases. This has led to improved responsiveness and reduced delays. Existing ordering and procedural workflows remain unchanged with the only change being the physical location of service delivery. The dedicated imaging space within the ED allows timely access to diagnostics with minimal interference from broader hospital demand, ensuring critically unwell patients can be imaged promptly without leaving the ED environment. Preliminary data comparing turnaround times before and after implementation show a notable improvement in general X-ray services, with up to a 16% reduction in time to scan. CT turnaround times also improved, particularly during business hours, though gains were less consistent overnight. The results highlight the value of infrastructure changes in improving efficiency and patient care. Locating imaging within the ED has streamlined the imaging service, enabling faster access for clinical teams and improving the overall patient experience in emergency care.