UZ Leuven renovates mammography department: greater precision, shorter waiting times

The new department was realised after a thorough analysis of the workflow, which took a year and a half. Process managers examined how the patient flow could be made more efficient, where the bottlenecks were, and which steps could be made more simple via lean management principles. 

The refurbished mammography department is part of the UZ Leuven multidisciplinary breast centre, the largets breast centre in Belgium as far as number of patients and number of examination machines is concerned. Three brand new devices produce sharper images with less radiation. In addition, more efficient planning ensures shorter turnaround times for the investigations. The refurbished department has five ultrasound rooms and four mammography rooms, each with their own device in a separate space. There is now also a separate room for stereotactic biopsies, where biopsies can be performed using 3D imaging. The new biopsy table is also more ergonomic for healthcare staff and ensures a more comfortable lying position for patients during the procedure. Two devices are designed in such a way that nurses can operate them without having to adopt physically demanding postures.

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The way of working changed thoroughly. Whereas doctors had to request a specific test - e.g. a mammogrpaphy, ultrasound or MRI - this is now done via a structured application tree in the Clinical Workstation (KWS). This application tree guides the doctor to a lsot with a certain duration in the appointment book, based on the symptom, age and medical history of the patient. It is the mammography department that will then decide which tests are necessary for the patient. This increases the efficiency and the quality of care. As the schedule for breast examinations is often set a year in advance, the overall effect on waiting times for appointments will not be felt until January 2027. 
 

Patients can now check in more quickly on site using a QR code, without the need for a nurse. However, there is still a manned reception desk for those who prefer personal contact. The more modern infrastructure and fresh pink waiting room create a more pleasant atmosphere for both patients and staff. 
 

Dr. Machteld Keupers, radiologist at UZ Leuven:  “We had been requesting a new mammography department for years. It was frustrating to see everyone work so hard in often too tight spaces, with not enough equipment or crowded waiting rooms. Now we can work more efficiently, in a more pleasant environment. This motivates the entire team. What's more, this new department provides growth potential for the future.”

You can find the mammography department at its new location of beeldvorming 3.