Electronic Health Records as a Driver of Radiology Workflow Optimization and Administrative Efficiency: An Interdisciplinary Review

Abstract

Background: Radiology departments depend on rapid access to accurate clinical information and effective coordination across ordering, scheduling, image acquisition, interpretation, reporting, and result communication. Electronic Health Records (EHRs), particularly when integrated with Radiology Information Systems (RIS) and Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS), can improve these interconnected clinical and administrative processes.
Objective: This interdisciplinary review examines how EHRs contribute to radiology workflow optimization and administrative efficiency, with emphasis on order management, scheduling, patient flow, documentation, reporting, communication, system interoperability, and professional collaboration.
Methods: A structured narrative review of relevant literature published primarily between 2020 and 2026 was conducted using PubMed, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, SAGE Journals, JAMA Network Open, Google Scholar, and radiology-focused sources. Peer-reviewed studies and reviews addressing EHR implementation, RIS/PACS integration, radiology workflow, administrative performance, usability, and digital transformation were thematically synthesized.
Results: The reviewed evidence indicates that integrated EHR–RIS–PACS environments can improve the availability of clinical information, reduce duplicate data entry and paper-based processes, strengthen imaging-request tracking, facilitate scheduling, enhance reporting accessibility, and improve communication between radiology and referring departments. EHR-generated data can also support performance monitoring through indicators such as appointment waiting time, report turnaround time, request completion time, duplicate imaging rates, and patient throughput. Nevertheless, poor usability, limited interoperability, excessive alerts, incomplete data entry, inadequate training, and misalignment between system design and actual workflow may increase administrative burden and reduce user satisfaction. Effective implementation therefore requires coordinated involvement from radiologists, radiologic technologists, medical secretaries, nurses, referring physicians, health informatics professionals, information-technology teams, and departmental leaders.
Conclusion: EHRs can drive meaningful improvements in radiology workflow and administrative efficiency when implemented as part of an interoperable, user-centred digital ecosystem. Sustainable benefits require integration with RIS and PACS, structured documentation, workflow redesign, continuous staff training, and performance-based evaluation.