Even with a PACS system in place, many imaging teams are still running into friction. The system works—but it’s not quite working right. You know something’s missing, but it’s hard to pinpoint what.
At Radsource, we often talk to practices who’ve invested in a solution but still feel like they’re forcing workarounds or struggling with inefficiencies. If that sounds familiar, here are three simple but powerful questions that can help uncover the gaps in your imaging workflow.
1. Where Are You Still Doing Manual Work?
Whether it’s double data entry, manually forwarding studies, or chasing down signatures, small repetitive tasks add up fast. Manual work doesn’t just waste time—it creates room for human error, burnout, and delays.
Ask yourself:
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Are techs manually matching priors or re-entering patient info?
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Are radiologists navigating multiple systems to complete a report?
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Are studies being routed by people instead of by smart rules?
What to look for: Automation tools that handle the heavy lifting—like smart study routing, report distribution, and seamless integration with your EMR or RIS.
2. Are Your Radiologists Being Interrupted or Slowed Down?
Speed and focus matter. When radiologists are distracted by lagging systems, missing priors, or clunky interfaces, it impacts productivity—and patient care. Every extra click or second of delay pulls attention away from what matters most.
Ask yourself:
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How long does it take to open a study and load relevant priors?
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Are radiologists toggling between systems or tabs to finish their work?
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Do they complain about system speed, access, or usability?
What to look for: A streamlined viewer experience designed for speed, with built-in access to priors, smart hanging protocols, and tools built specifically for MSK and neuro workflows.
3. Do You Know What’s Actually Slowing You Down?
You can’t fix what you can’t see. Many imaging departments have no clear insight into how long studies take to move through the system—or where delays are happening.
Ask yourself:
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Do you have data on turnaround times, worklist load, or reporting delays?
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Can you identify where studies get held up in the workflow?
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Are decisions being made based on data or just instinct?
What to look for: Analytics dashboards and reporting tools that give you visibility into key workflow metrics—so you can spot bottlenecks, optimize assignments, and improve efficiency.
What’s Missing Might Be Fixable
Your current PACS may not be failing—it just may not be built for the way your team actually works. At Radsource, we help imaging teams like yours identify and solve these workflow gaps every day.
Still not sure what’s missing?
Start with this companion blog:
👉 5 Hidden Workflow Bottlenecks That Are Slowing Down Your Imaging Department
