The Turnaround Times for Patients Undergoing Ultrasound Examinations at the Radiology Department, Kenyatta National Hospital

Background: Ultrasound examination turnaround time is the time between ordering a test by the clinician or the referring doctor at the time of submitting and or reporting of the results. Mae (1997: 83) argues that turnaround time definitions vary from institution to institution, hence necessitating specification by date, time, and type of the procedure. Ultrasound examinations are valuable in evaluation of both emergent, life threatening patients that have injuries that are not apparent on the initial physical examination as well as for routine examinations, all of which need to be as timely as possible. According to (Jill 2011: 253) timely and accurate diagnosis for ultrasound patients and initiation of optimal care is required. It is important that several quick steps in the management (including) extensive, thorough, but short interval ultrasound examinations with emphasis aligned towards reducing patient waiting time is put in place in the radiology department.

Objectives: Turn-around time (TAT) is one of the major determinants in the overall institutional processes growth evaluation tool. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the turnaround time for patients undergoing ultrasound examinations at the radiology department, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi. The research was conducted between 2nd January and 30th May 2015 with turnaround time as the dependent variable while factors influencing turnaround time being the independent variables.

Methods: A three-month cross sectional descriptive survey in which 96 study subjects selected by systematic random sampling and then requested to complete a self-administered questionnaire. Data analysis was by Ms Excel and the results were tabulated and graphically presented.

Results: Out of the 96 patients’ respondents, 51 were females while 45 were males. The major causes of longer turnaround times identified were: power black outs, jumping of queues by other patients, and burnouts of the staffs while working alone. Majority of the respondents were dissatisfied with the turnaround times for ultrasound examinations.

Recommendations: Investment in more diagnostic imaging resources and personnel by the Kenyatta National Hospital is advised. Further research on customer satisfaction is also advised.