Managing Written Directives: A Software Solution to Streamline Workflow Journal Article

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Authors: Wagner, R. H.; Savir-Baruch, B; Gabriel, M. S.; Halama, J.; Bova, D
Article Title: Managing Written Directives: A Software Solution to Streamline Workflow
Abstract: A written directive (WD) is a requirement of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) regulations and is required for all uses of I-131 above 1.11 MBq (30 microcuries) and for patients receiving therapy with radiopharmaceuticals. These regulations have also been adopted and are required to be enforced by the agreement states. A paper trail method of WD management is inefficient and prone to error, loss, and duplication. As the options for therapy in Nuclear Medicine increase with the introduction of new radiopharmaceuticals, the time spent on the regulatory burden and paperwork has also increased. The management of regulatory requirements has a significant impact on physician and technologist time utilization and these pressures may increase the potential for inaccurate or incomplete WD data and subsequent regulatory violations. A software tool for the management of WDs using a HIPAA compliant database has been created. This WD software allows for the secure sharing of data among physicians, technologists and managers while saving time, reducing errors and eliminating the possibility of loss and duplication. Methods: Software development was performed using Microsoft Visual Basic(R) (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA) which is part of the Microsoft Visual Studio(R) development environment for the Microsoft Windows(R) platform. The database repository for patient data is Microsoft Access(R) and stored locally on a HIPAA secure server or hard disk. Once a working version was developed, it was installed and used at our institution for the management of WDs. Updates and modifications were released regularly until no significant problems were found with the operation of the software. Results: The software has been in use at our institution for over two years and has reliably kept track of all directives during that time. All physicians and technologists use the software as part of their daily workflow and find it superior to paper directives. We are able to retrieve active and prior completed directives at any stage of completion and at time. Conclusion: A software solution for the management of WDs streamlines and structures the workflow in the department. Implementation of this solution saves time, centralizes the information for all staff to share and decreases any confusion surrounding the creation, completion, filing, and retrieval of WDs.
Journal Title: Journal of nuclear medicine technology
ISSN: 1535-5675; 0091-4916
Publisher: Unknown  
Journal Place: United States
Date Published: 2017
Language: eng
DOI/URL:

jnmt.116.184671
Notes: LR: 20170310; CI: Copyright (c) 2017; JID: 0430303; OTO: NOTNLM; 2016/09/22 [received]; 2017/02/03 [accepted]; aheadofprint