MMHO Assignment: Reducing Overcrowding in Radiology Departments

This report addresses the critical issue of overcrowding in radiology departments within Trinidad and Tobago's healthcare system. It begins with an executive summary highlighting the problem's impact on patient outcomes and hospital performance. The research, based on interviews and analysis of academic articles, identifies prolonged waiting times and delays in report delivery as key contributors. The study emphasizes the scarcity of radiology departments and increased patient admissions as exacerbating factors. The report recommends increasing the number of radiologists, providing modern equipment, and implementing throughput interventions to improve service delivery. It analyzes various intervention strategies including medical insurance, information systems, and public health campaigns to reduce overcrowding and improve patient satisfaction. The report evaluates existing health policies, examines the relationship between waiting times and information systems, and offers recommendations for enhancing management, communication, and the development of guiding principles in radiology departments. The goal is to provide immediate healthcare interventions, improve patient outcomes, and address the global health concern of overcrowding.

Reducing Overcrowding in Radiology Department 1
REDUCING THE PROBLEM OF OVERCROWDING IN THE RADIOLOGY
DEPARTMENT
By
The Name of the Professor
The Name of the Course
The Name of the University
The City and State located
The Date

Reducing Overcrowding in Radiology Department 2
Reducing the Problem of Overcrowding in Radiology Department
Executive Summary
Overcrowding has become one of the problems that interfere with most of the medical
facilities in Trinidad and Tobago. The organizational performances determine the patient
outcomes and the level of achieving business success. Some of the medical interventions will
be discussed to help in reducing overcrowding in the radiology department and improve
general performance in the hospitals. This research paper focuses that providing the potential
factor that leads to overcrowding in the radiology department and offers appropriate
interventions for reducing the impacts of the problem in the healthcare setting. Research was
conducted through direct interviews and analysis of three relevant articles from credible
sources. The interviews were conducted to determine the views of the patient, healthcare
officers, and government authorities on the possible causes of overcrowding in the radiology
department.
The research data were analyzed to obtain final study results. It was identified that
overcrowding resulted from prolonged waiting time and delay in getting the radiological
results. The reports from the radiological department delayed due to a lack of modern
equipment that helps in the analysis of the results. It was also clear that each health facility
admitted more than 100 patients in the radiology department per day. The three analyzed
articles in the research also confirmed that the problem resulted due to the scarcity of
radiology departments in Trinidad and Tobago. Only 20% of the healthcare facilities have
radiology departments. Lack of radiology departments in other small and medium-sized
healthcare facilities and clinics leads to overcrowding in the large medical facilities. A critical
analysis of the literature materials also identified that an increase admission number of
admitted in the healthcare facilities results in overcrowding in the radiology and other

Reducing Overcrowding in Radiology Department 3
emergency departments. After the critical analysis of the sources, it was recommended that
the government should increase the number of radiologists to improve the rate of service
delivery to patients. It is also recommended that modern radiological equipment should be
provided in the healthcare facilities to improve the processing of reports.

Reducing Overcrowding in Radiology Department 4
Table of Contents
Introduction……………………………………………………………………………..5
Analysis…………………………………………………………………………………8
Interventions for Reducing Overcrowding in Radiology Department………………….8
The Analysis and Evaluation of the Policy……………………………………………..9
Analysis of Information System in Healthcare………………………………………….10
Recommendations……………………………………………………………………….11
Changing the Management and Communication Systems………………………………11
Development of Guiding Principles……………………………………………………..12
Development of Mission and Vision Statements in the Radiology Departments………..12
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………..12
References………………………………………………………………………………...14

Reducing Overcrowding in Radiology Department 5
Introduction
Acceptable healthcare performance is one of the desired outcomes by patients,
government, payers, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders. Trinidad and Tobago is one
of the smallest countries that has undergone many changes in terms of the healthcare sector
(De Freitas et al., 2018, p. 236). the country has high expectations in healthcare due to the
proximity to the U.S.A. the health care providers also expect quality performances and
improvements because of the presence of experienced medical professionals in from Britain
and United States of America. Waiting time is the main factor that has become a global
concern in the health sector. The country strives to reduce the time at which patients take
while waiting to be served by radiologists. According to media reports, the Trinidad and
Tobago have been experiencing performances in the waiting time (Forero, McCarthy, and
Hillman, 2011, p. 216). Lack of appropriate investigations and medical interventions also
contribute to overcrowding in the radiology departments.
According to research outcomes, some of the factors that may lead to this global
health concern include the poor public policy, inappropriate utilization of resources, and
ineffective performances in the healthcare facilities (Bahall, 2018, p. 34). Waiting time is
important in improving the overall healthcare performances and improving patient
satisfaction (Crawford et al., 2014, p. 324). The critical analysis of the primary source in this
research provides important interventions that can be used to improve patient satisfaction and
outcomes. The secondary sources provide comprehensive information for the identification of
appropriate health policies that suit the operations of the facilities based on the health system.
The patient-centered policy is important in the process of reducing overcrowding in the
radiology department and because poor inpatient care has been the main issue affecting the
performances of healthcare facilities in Trinidad and Tobago.

Reducing Overcrowding in Radiology Department 6
The analysis and evaluation of articles in the research were based on the type of
information provided in the sources. One primary source was used in the research to provide
important interventions that can be used to address global health concern. Bahall’s article,
Health services in Trinidad provides comprehensive information on how throughput can be
used to reduce the issue of overcrowding in the country. A critical analysis of the challenges
and impact of throughput intervention are also pivotal in ensuring effective performances in
the healthcare facilities (Bahall, 2018, p. 34). The secondary articles provided important
public policy and health system in Trinidad and Tobago. De Lisle’s article provided an
appropriate policy to be used in reducing overcrowding in the radiology departments. Warner
et al. provide how the evaluation of the information systems and data can help in reducing the
global health problem. A comparison is also provided based on the quality of healthcare
systems between countries.
According to the research data, people are not satisfied with the quality of service
they receive from the healthcare providers. Also, overcrowding in the radiology departments
leads to health deterioration especially when people were supposed to be screened for serious
diseases like cancers. Overcrowding has decreased the quality of health system in Trinidad
and Tobago because waiting time is one of the components/elements to be assessed in
determining the performances of hospitals and clinics (De Sousa Petersburgo et al., 2010,
157). Globally, overcrowding has increased mortality rates due to poor healthcare services
provided in most developing countries.
The aim of this research paper is to provide immediate healthcare intervention to be
used in reducing overcrowding as a global health concern. This paper highlights important
approaches to the relationship between waiting for time and overcrowding based on the
information system identified in the secondary articles. This paper aims at identifying
effective models to be used in addressing the problem of the overcrowding. The objectives

Reducing Overcrowding in Radiology Department 7
are identified based on the research questions developed in the study. The research focuses
that minimizing the time taken while patients wait to be served by health officers especially
in the radiology department. Another aim of the research is to improve the information
system to ensure the effective provision of reports within a specified time interval.
It is important to reduce overcrowding in the radiology department because it affects
performances of all healthcare facility. Most of the medical treatments and operations depend
on the reports from the radiology department; therefore, solving the problem results in
effective performances in other departments. Also addressing the problem of overcrowding
improves patient outcomes and experience in the facility. Reduction of the time taken by the
patient to wait for services in radiology department also improves the quality of treatments
provided to patients and prevents disease progression. Lastly, solving the problem of
overcrowding in the radiology department reduces the mortality rates due to the ability to
manage and control serious diseases like cancers.
A mixed-method was used in the research to analyze and evaluate the information
from the literature sources. A qualitative method was used to determine how the secondary
sources provided information that comprehended the research topic. The quantitative method
was used to critically evaluate the information from the sample population used in the
research. Data was then recorded and analyzed according to the number of respondents in the
study. Throughput intervention is effective in reducing overcrowding in most of the large
health facilities in Trinidad and Tobago (Bahall, 2018, p. 32). Public health campaign and
education is the main policy that can be used to reduce overcrowding in radiology department
(De Lisle, 2016, p. 12). A critical analysis in the review of the sources also provides a clear
relationship between information systems and waiting time in the radiology department. The
literature materials from credible sources provide appropriate recommendations for solving
the problem based on the application of medical interventions and public policies.

Reducing Overcrowding in Radiology Department 8
The selected articles are critically analyzed and evaluated depending on the quality of
information and recommendations they provide for solving the problem. The articles are also
appraised depending on the selection rationale used in the literature review. The information
system is described in the analysis section because it helps in improving the rate of releasing
radiological reports. The selected articles are analyzed based on the opinions of the author
and the year of publication. The recommendations for reducing overcrowding in the
radiology departments are also obtained from other materials that comprehend the selected
primary and secondary sources in the research (Bahall, 2014, p. 22). A concluding paragraph
is used to provide solutions to the healthcare problem in the research.
Analysis
Articles used:
 Bahall, M., 2018. Health services in Trinidad: throughput, throughput challenges, and
the impact of a throughput intervention on overcrowding in a public health
institution. BMC health services research, 18(1), p.129.
 Warner, W.A., Morrison, R.L., Lee, T.Y., Williams, T.M., Ramnarine, S., Roach, V.,
Slovacek, S., Maharaj, R., Bascombe, N., Bondy, M.L. and Ellis, M.J., 2015.
Associations among ancestry, geography and breast cancer incidence, mortality, and
survival in Trinidad and Tobago. Cancer medicine, 4(11), pp.1742-1753.
 De Lisle, J., 2016. Evolving data use policy in Trinidad and Tobago: the search for
actionable knowledge on educational improvement in a small island developing
state. Educational Assessment, Evaluation and Accountability, 28(1), pp.35-60.
Interventions for the Problem

Reducing Overcrowding in Radiology Department 9
The analysis and evaluation of the selected articles provide important measures/
strategies to be applied in reducing the issue of overcrowding in Trinidad and Tobago.
Throughput is one of the interventions used in solving the problem of overcrowding in the
radiology departments. According to the law of Little, Throughput is the rate of providing
services in particular unit time (Bahall, M., 2018, p. 14). In this case, the facilities are
required to establish a policy that regulate the time they use in providing services to their
patients in the radiology department. The critical analysis of the article provides important
information on how overcrowding can be solved through the application of Throughput
model in the radiology department. Bahall’s article is a primary source because it provides
data obtained from a direct research activity. The data obtained from the article guide in the
development of appropriate intervention that can be used in reducing the issue of
overcrowding in public hospitals. The analysis of the article also highlights how the
challenges and impacts of Throughput intervention affect the research recommendations. In
the healthcare setting, the Throughput intervention relates to the rate of providing
radiological services. To ensure effective performances in the healthcare setting, Bahall
pinpoints that the facilities need to establish quality practice standards that regulate the
radiologist in their operations.
The critical analysis and evaluation of the primary source provides insightful
information on the important interventions to be used in reducing overcrowding in the
radiology department. The application of Throughput intervention increases the number of
patients served in a particular time; therefore, reducing overcrowding (Bahall, 2012, p. 45).
Some of the important professional and ethical standards and values are also described in
Bahall’s article based on their efficacy in the healthcare setting.
The Analysis and Evaluation of the Policy

Reducing Overcrowding in Radiology Department 10
Medical insurance policy is appropriate in solving the issue of overcrowding in the
radiologist departments because most of the patients does not afford the services offered by
the private radiologist in the country. The analysis of the Warner’s article, entitle Cancer
Medicine provide succinct information on how medical insurance help in solving the issue of
overcrowding in radiology departments of public hospitals. The medical insurance policy in
Trinidad and Tobago ensures that all patients get equal access to healthcare services
regardless of their financial disparities (Erenler et al., 2014, p. 60). The article is a secondary
source because it reviews the information that had been formulated by other authors. The
content of the Warner’s article relates to the topic and answers the research questions because
the medical insurance policy covers for all healthcare services to be provided to a patient. The
government of Trinidad and Tobago has established standards, policies, and goals towards
achieving effective quality medical care to all citizens regardless of their economic status
(Handel et al., 2010, p.844). The ethical standards and values are addressed by Warner et al
because the main concern of the authors is to create equality through healthcare provision.
Cancer is one of the medical condition affecting many people in the country;
therefore, increasing the mortality rate (Boyle, et al., 2012, p. 25). The article by Warner et al.
contains information that can be generalised for a bigger population. Secondary sources
normally have generalised information that suit all a large population as unlike a primary
source that contains data intended for a specific research activity. The content or data from
the article by Warner eta al. are informative because it pinpoints that the policies established
by the National government through the ministry of health are then implemented by the local
authorities under the leadership of community health nurses and public health officers.
Analysis of Information System in Healthcare

Reducing Overcrowding in Radiology Department 11
The structure used in the delivery of the services in the healthcare sector depends on
the leadership styles applied in the country (Bolton‐Maggs and Cohen, 2013, p. 234).
Leadership theories propose for decentralization of powers into the local authorities to
promote promote free access to medical services. The decentralization theory provides for
division of the country into different regions for effective performances. The regional health
administrations are then designed with an autonomous leadership structure to promote
effective access to healthcare services. De Lisle’s article, Educational Assessment,
Evaluation and Accountability provides appropriate intervention that enable the national and
regional governments to reduce overcrowding in the radiology departments.
The article represents a generalised population because it is a secondary source.
Information provided by De Lisle’s article contains the same results as provided in this
research; therefore, helps in the reduction of overcrowding in the radiology department. A
critical analysis and evaluation of the article is important in the collection of research results.
It was identified that more than 20% of the people in the country proposed for the
implementation of healthcare administration to ensure an effective leadership. Effective
leadership promotes equal distribution and utilization of resources.
The systems and processes in healthcare have been changed in Trinidad and Tobago
to reduce overcrowding in the radiology department. According to the research finding, the
network system is comprised on 95 health centres, 8 hospitals and 8 local district health
centres. The distribution of the local health centres are based on the nature of population in
the regional level. Each region has one referral hospital and at least one district health
centres. The existence of the private systems in the health processes and systems ensures
ensure that all core and ancillary services are undertaken based on the available information
and other resources. Effective processes and systems in healthcare ensures effective
utilization of resources. The information system in health sector is divided into three distinct

Reducing Overcrowding in Radiology Department 12
classes (James 2018, p. 242). First, population-based health information focuses on the public
health and people registry systems. The second category is the management system which
majorly deals with the accounting and finance operations. The last category is the institution-
based system which focuses information about ancillary and clinical services.
Recommendations
Changing the Management and Communication Systems
Management and communication are important components in all aspects of life.
Effective communication among radiologists improved the quality of radiological results;
therefore, reducing the cases of readmission into the radiology department. Poor
communication interferes with all operations in the health facility/hospital (Towbin et al.,
2013, p. 363). The effective and open interdepartmental communication improves the
performances of all practices in the healthcare organization; therefore, reducing
overcrowding (Schiff, 2011, p. 1274). The use of modern technology and internet improves
communication and reduces waiting time in the radiology department. Good management and
leadership skills are important because they ensure appropriate utilization of resources.
Development of Guiding Principles
The guiding principle help in providing regulations and practice standards in the
health facility. One of the guiding principles that reduce overcrowding in the radiology
department include responsiveness whereby the radiologist are committed at maintaining the
integrity of the system and promote conflict resolution processes (Paul and Lin, 2012, p.
1122). Another guiding principle is the desire to achieve continuous improvement in facility.
Continuous improvement is important in ensuring patient satisfaction and quality outcomes
from the radiological activities (Morris et al., 2012, p. 464).
Development of Mission and Vision Statements in the Radiology Departments