The verdict in three sentences
A teleradiology provider in London or Dubai reading 250 studies a day for several imaging centres loses contracts as long as reports take 24 hours to come back. A reporting workflow layer on top of the existing PACS, with automatic worklist distribution, structured reports and per-study fee tracking, lets you target a 4-hour turnaround. In Kolonell's custom application grid this project sits between 6,100 and 22,870+ EUR depending on scope, over 4 to 6 months.
Where the 20 hours go
The PACS stores and displays images, but it does not run the work. In many providers, studies are pushed to remote radiologists by message or phone, reports come back as Word files, and a secretary formats and sends them. Each step adds hours.
| Step | Current state | Target with a workflow tool |
|---|---|---|
| Study intake | PACS link shared by hand | Automatic worklist by modality and priority |
| Assignment | Message, waiting for a reply | Rules by subspecialty, licence, availability and load |
| Clinical context | Request form scanned separately | Request, priors and images in one screen |
| Reporting | Free text, re-typed dictation | Structured templates and speech recognition |
| Sign-off | Email, manual proofreading | Electronic signature inside the tool |
| Delivery | PDF emailed to the site | Report pushed back to RIS and referrer portal |
| Average turnaround | 18 to 24 hours | 2 to 4 hours, 1 hour for urgent CT |
Fees, volumes and audit trail
Teleradiology demands precise accounting: each radiologist is paid per study, with rates varying by modality, complexity and time of day. Without a tool, monthly reconciliation takes days and triggers disputes.
| Modality | Share of 250 studies a day | Remote reporting fee (2026 order of magnitude) | Target turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain X-ray | 45 % | £6 to £12 / USD 8 to 15 | 4 hours |
| Ultrasound review | 5 % | £10 to £20 | 24 hours |
| CT | 30 % | £30 to £70 / USD 40 to 90 | 3 hours, 1 hour urgent |
| MRI | 15 % | £45 to £100 / USD 60 to 130 | 24 hours scheduled |
| Mammography | 5 % | £15 to £30, double reading | 24 hours |
| Night and weekend uplift | Variable | 30 to 50 % | Per contract |
The tool calculates what each radiologist is owed, issues a monthly statement and logs who read what, when, and on which images. That audit trail is also your medico-legal protection.
Health data: the rules to design for
In the UK, providers fall under UK GDPR, the Care Quality Commission regime and NHS contract requirements such as the Data Security and Protection Toolkit. In Dubai, Dubai Health Authority telehealth standards and the UAE health data law restrict where data may be stored and who may read it, with radiologists licensed for the emirate. In practice the architecture needs encrypted transfers, strong authentication, access logs and documented hosting location.
| Implementation option | Indicative cost | Timeline | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| PACS vendor workflow module | Vendor quote, often per seat | 2 to 3 months | Fast, rigid on fee rules |
| International reading platform | 15 to 30 % per study (order of magnitude) | 1 to 2 months | Platform controls the radiologist pool |
| Kolonell custom app, workflow and reports | 6,100 to 10,670 EUR | 4 months | Your radiologists, your rules |
| Kolonell custom app with portals and fees | 10,670 to 22,870+ EUR | 5 to 6 months | PACS and billing integration |
| Kolonell maintenance | 53 / 114 / 183 EUR per month | Ongoing | Premium covers on-call support |
Mini case study
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Dr Rahman, medical director of a teleradiology provider in Dubai, reads 250 studies a day over 26 days, 6,500 a month, at an average billed fee of USD 45. Two hospital clients have warned that contracts will move unless turnaround falls under 4 hours. Losing them would cost 2,000 studies a month × USD 45 = USD 90,000 a month. On the cost side, 4 coordinators spend 3 hours a day chasing reports, 312 hours a month, two thirds of which disappear with automated assignment. A complex build at about 20,000 EUR is covered in weeks once the contracts are secured.
FAQ
Do we need a new PACS for teleradiology?
No, the workflow layer connects to the existing PACS via DICOM and HL7 where the vendor exposes them. Only a very old PACS without outbound DICOM would justify replacement.
How much does teleradiology workflow software cost?
In Kolonell's grid, 6,100 to 10,670 EUR for workflow and reporting, and 10,670 to 22,870+ EUR with portals and fee calculation. International platforms tend to take 15 to 30 % per study instead.
Can radiologists report from another country?
Yes, provided licensing, data transfer rules and contracts allow it. UK providers often use overseas radiologists for nights, while Dubai generally requires DHA-licensed readers.
How do we get from 24 hours to 4?
By removing manual steps: automatic assignment, structured templates, electronic sign-off and delivery. Providers doing this typically cut 15 to 20 hours from the average turnaround.
How long to go live?
Allow 4 to 6 months, including a one-month pilot with one client site before full rollout.
Let's scope your project. We will define the reading workflow, structured reporting and fee tracking around your PACS with you, starting with a pilot site. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
