Geographical Information System and financial management of the Radiology Department of the General Panacardian Hospital of Tripolis, Greece

ABSTRACT Introduction: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are a useful tool to control costs and improve financial health management. Aim: The aim of this paper was to present interactive maps containing financial data of radiology department of General Panarcadian Hospital of Tripolis by using GIS. The creation of maps requires the calculation of certain features such as: number of CTs and MRIs, X - rays, ultrasounds, revenues per exam category and supply costs of radiological material (consumables and films). Methods: ArcGIS software was used to create digital - dynamic maps. The research was conducted in the Radiology Department of the General Panarcadian Hospital of Tripolis, Greece. All available data were acquired during 2016 - 2017 and concerned the period 2012-2015. Cost and revenue processing was conducted by studying the interactive maps. Financial indicators were acquired by the GIS analysis of the digital maps and the results are presented on diagrams. The loss or profit assessment was performed after studying the diagrams. Thus, the radiology equipment and the number of exams were recorded. Finally, the financial and technical results of the radiology departments were compared to similar radiology departments in Peloponnese. Results: GIS analysis revealed that the General Panarcadian Hospital of Tripolis presented a small profit during 2012 - 2015. The General Hospital of Messinia - Hospital Unit of Kalamata was quite profitable during the same period. Conclusions: The GIS software is absolutely useful for recording and presenting inputs and outputs, for financial cost control and operational optimization of radiology department of General Panarcadian Hospital of Tripolis. Finally, this comparative study concluded that the radiology department of General Panarcadian Hospital of Tripolis is among the most efficient of Peloponnese.