Authors
Evelien B van Well, Maroeska M Rovers, Jimmy Banken, Gregor Thoermer, Ritse M Mann, Janneke P C Grutters
Published in
European radiology. Nov 02, 2026. Epub Nov 02, 2026.
Abstract
MRI is increasingly recommended for breast cancer screening, particularly in women with dense breast tissue. However, widespread adoption is constrained by limited capacity and high costs. This study evaluated how optimized MRI screening workflows could address these barriers through three targeted interventions: an abbreviated scan protocol, dockable MRI tables, and expanded technician staffing.
A calculation model was developed to compare seven workflow strategies against the current standard care. Strategies included reducing MRI acquisition time from 13 to 6 min, introducing dockable tables with breast coils, adding a third technician, and combinations thereof. Workflow durations and cost inputs were derived from published literature, hospital data, and expert opinion. Primary outcomes were daily screening capacity, cost per screening, annual screening costs, and staffing requirements for a screening volume of 5500 screening examinations per year.
After evaluating several optimized workflow strategies, we found that reducing MRI acquisition time increased daily screening capacity from 30 to 47 scans, with associated annual savings of €147,505 (8.4%) and a reduction of 1320 technician hours. Combined strategies integrating reduced scan time, additional technicians, and dockable tables increased the daily capacity from 30 to 67 scans and reduced annual costs by up to €160,557 (9.2%) compared with the current workflow.
Optimizing MRI breast cancer screening workflows with abbreviated scan protocols and dockable tables can substantially increase screening capacity, reduce costs, and technician workload. This would expand access to MRI screening, without requiring additional scanners, potentially providing a solution for (future) capacity problems.
Question Which workflow optimization strategies, including abbreviated scan protocols, dockable tables, and additional technicians, offer the greatest capacity and cost benefits for MRI breast cancer screening? Findings Abbreviated scan protocols provide the largest cost savings, while combined workflow changes can substantially increase capacity and still reduce costs. Clinical relevance Optimizing MRI breast cancer screening workflows with abbreviated scans and dockable tables can increase screening capacity and reduce costs and technician workload. This expands access to MRI screening, without requiring additional scanners, potentially providing a solution for capacity problems.
PMID:
42970136
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 03 Nov 2026.
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