Lönsamhetsbedömning av utökad MR-kapacitet på Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset
This thesis analyses how a radiology department at the largest hospital in Sweden, Karolinska University Hospital, most profitably could expand its capacity for investigating cancer patients using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The queues today for patients waiting to be scanned are long, which delays the start of cancer treatments. Meanwhile the hospital has a budget deficit of half a billion SEK, which make any expansion hard. In this thesis we evaluate the alternatives of investing in new machinery; utilize the current machinery better by using them more days annually or through a shift work system. Finally we evaluate a combination of these. The study has two purposes. First to help the hospital understand if, and then how, it most profitably can expand its MRI-capacity. Secondly, to increase the understanding of the cost structure and cost drivers of MRI for other actors; which previous studies have identified as lacking in general for many actors. The thesis is conducted as a case study at two hospitals, where one today already utilizes shift work and recently made new investments in equipment. Theories used are mainly related to capital budgeting, especially the annuity method, and research about shift work. Our findings are that investments in new equipment are profitable, but not economically reasonable in relation to shift-work - which can double the capacity per camera and lower the unit cost by 15%. However, a combination of both is recommended to be used in order to satisfy today?s high demand.