Overview
Initiative type
Service Improvement
Status
Deliver
Published
June 2025
Summary
The project team built a triage tool in Microsoft Power BI to flag high risk patients requiring pharmacist clinical review that changed the entire department workflow to a “roaming” service from the traditional ward-based model.
Dates: March 2020 - June 2025
Implementation sites: Townsville HHS Oral Health Service; South West HHS Oral Health Service; Central West HHS Oral Health Service; Darling Downs HHS Oral Health Service
Partnerships: Townsville HHS Oral Health Service; South West HHS Oral Health Service; Central West HHS Oral Health Service; Darling Downs HHS Oral Health Service
This project was presented as a Poster at CEQ Showcase 2025 (PDF 460KB).
Aim
By leveraging the existing investment in the integrated Enterprise Picture Archive and Communication System (PACS) and Queensland Radiology information System (QRiS), Oral Health Services within Townsville, South West, Central West and Darling Downs Hospital and Health Services (HHSs) have been able to change the department workflow.
Outcomes
- Improved record storage and availability of images to clinicians on demand
- Reduced processing time for oral health x-rays providing more efficient use of clinician time
- Reduction of patient time in chair
- Improved patient image identification resulting in reduced risk of error and increased security of patient records.
Background
Radiology Informatics Support Unit (RISU) was first approached by Townsville Oral Health Service in 2019 for advice to digitalise their dental imaging workflows. RISU saw an opportunity to assist the customer using existing radiology solutions to develop a novel solution to a real clinical service problem. After very effective discussions with the customer the requirements were understood; improved efficiencies in medical image management, elimination of film processing and a desire to improve patient services through better access to image information.
Methods
Several workflow options to address the requirements of the Oral Health Service were discussed and demonstrated. A full analysis of the workflows was conducted with numerous considerations to ensure they met the requirements and expected outcomes. The recommended option of implementing the integrated radiology solution presented as the most cost effective and efficient solution, using existing technology already in use in the medical imaging departments.
Discussion
The initial implementation of digital imaging workflows in 2020 was at six oral health clinics within Townsville HHS. Now in 2025, the Oral Health Digital Imaging Project has been rolled out to address these same requirements to over 80 oral health clinics across four HHSs. RISU continues to engage with other QRiS and Enterprise PACS HHSs to implement the same workflows to their oral health service, continuing to introduce efficiencies and providing a secure archive for clinicians to view these images on demand throughout the state.
Throughout the rollout different challenges were experienced at different HHSs, constraints with network capability and variations with third-party equipment however all overcome with incredible support and assistance from local IT, DPT and the oral health teams.
References
Our customers – the Townsville Oral Health Services – were the proud recipients of a regional “Embracing Innovation Award” that further demonstrates the value their HHS places on the outcomes of the project.
Key contact
Kira Powell
A/Operations Manager
Digital Health Branch
eHealth Queensland