Beyond Biomedical Engineering: What Role May Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE) Play in Solving Complex Workflow Challenges in the Angiosuite?

Surveys of physicians and staff in a single center multi-hospital radiology practice have demonstrated the greatest barrier to engagement in innovation is absence of time. Resource distribution often is too slow to address exponential healthcare growth. Interventional radiology (IR) represents an ideal testing ground for integration of industrial and systems engineering (ISyE) practice: IR faces unprecedented growth with high variable dependencies. Factors that influence daily workflow include: number of inpatients, outpatients, emergency room patients, and critical care patients; availability of rooms; stationary and portable equipment (some of which must be coordinated or ordered in advance); availability and capability of faculty, technologists, nurses, and trainees. Absence of redundancy can lead to a system halt with failure of any variable. ISyE and lean practices can improve systems practice, increase employee satisfaction, and foster innovative approaches to workflow optimization. Lessons learned in our single center experience can provide opportunities for busy cath labs, cardiology practices, neurointerventional practices, and operating rooms.