Stroke patients and diagnostic testing, take two- the weekend waiting game! (P3.122)

OBJECTIVE: To measure the impact of additional technologist availability over the weekends for delays in care and cost. BACKGROUND: Inpatient hospitalization contributes considerably to healthcare expenditures. Previously we identified delays in care and increased costs for patients over the weekend due to availability of MRI and Echocardiogram. DESIGN/METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed charts for stroke inpatients between September-November 2012. Two groups were defined: Group 1 - MRI/Echo ordered Monday-Thursday, Group 2 MRI/ECHO ordered Friday-Sunday. Additional technologists began providing weekend coverage for both MRI/ECHO in December 2013. Repeat analysis was conducted April- June 2014. Results were compared using two sample t-test. RESULTS: 275 MRIs were performed pre-intervention, average time from order to completion (TFOC) = 15.6 hours, Group 1(n=168) 13.2 +/- SD 12.6 hours and Group 2(n=97) 20.75 hours +/- SD 19.5, p=0.002. There were 244 MRIs post-intervention, average time 16.6 hours [Group 1 (n=121), 14.7 hours +/- SD 14.4 and Group 2 (n=123) 18.6 hours +/- SD 16.1 , p=0.04]. There were 272 Echocardiograms pre-intervention, average TFOC of 23.35 hours, Group 1 (n=171) 17.4 hours +/-SD 11.2 and Group 2 (n=101) 33.4 +/- SD 21.6, p <0.0001. There were 204 ECHOs post-intervention, average time of 23.6 hours, Group 1 (n=138) 22.5 hours +/- SD 13.3 and Group 2 (n=66) 26 hours +/- SD 19.7. Examining the impact of TFOC on hospital costs for minor stroke (defined as LOS <4 days), average costs pre- intervention were $2731.00 +/ SD 1877 (Group 1) and $3650+/- SD 2738 (Group 2), p=0.042. Post-intervention, average cost was $2668 +/- SD 1603 (Group 1) vs. $ 3323 +/- SD 2515 (Group 2), p=0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Comparing weekends alone, pre- and post-intervention, there was a 27[percnt] decrease in TFOC for ECHOs, p=.03. The addition of resource availability appears to reduce delays in patient care and hospital costs. Disclosure: Dr. Mathias has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lee has nothing to disclose.