Bridging the Gap: Evaluation of a Supplemental Surge Staffing Model to Maintain Radiology Turnaround Times Amid Labor Constraints

Abstract

Purpose

Many practices face staffing challenges stemming from expanding clinical volumes and recruitment difficulties. This study aims to evaluate the use of supplemental surge staffing along with scheduled shift redistribution as a bridge to needed staffing increases.

Methods

A tertiary care academic Emergency Radiology Division comprising 23 radiologists faced a labor shortage during the addition of a new hospital emergency department on June 30, 2023. Strategies to preserve turnaround times (TATs) included increasing daily scheduled shift hours and surge staffing. In surge staffing, scheduled radiologists initiate “surge” calls for assistance during high volumes, prompting available nonscheduled staff to read remotely, with compensation based on length and time of surge engagement. Staff could participate in one or both strategies. Data collected 60 days before and after the emergency room addition compared total relative value units (RVUs), median and 80th percentile TATs, RVUs per person hour, and individual staff surge engagement versus shift increase.

Results

Total RVUs increased by 15% in the post-addition period (38,746 versus 44,628, P < .01), and median TATs (42 versus 44 min, P = .53), 80th percentile TATs (74 versus 73 min, P = .87), and average RVUs per person hour (8.2 versus 8.2, P = .52) did not change significantly. Only 70% (16 of 23) of baseline staff increased scheduled shift hours post-addition, and 96% (22 of 23) engaged in surge staffing. Surge timing and duration varied per individual.

Conclusion

A “just-in-time” supplemental surge staffing model, in combination with increasing scheduled shift hours, can be effectively used to maintain TATs during staffing shortages, aiding timely care delivery as a bridge to more permanent staffing solutions.