Image Distribution

Abstract

Implementing a PACS within the radiology department is relatively straightforward; current vendor offerings work reasonably well with respect to image delivery to the traditional reading room. However, radiologists are not the only medical personnel who view (or create) images. Efficient mechanisms for the ubiquitous distribution of digital images throughout the health-care enterprise are essential to realize the most important benefits of the PACS. These benefits include the substantial cost savings when one no longer has to print and deliver film throughout the enterprise as well as the presumed improvement in patient care when health-care providers throughout the enterprise have immediate access to medical images.

Self-Assessment Questions

• 1. Which of the following is a component of an enterprise image distribution infrastructure?

  • a. VPN

  • b. On-demand archive

  • c. Diagnostic display monitors

  • d. All of the above

  • e. None of the above

• 2. Discuss the fundamental functional requirements of enterprise image distribution.

• 3. Which is NOT a common component of enterprise image distribution?

  • a. On-demand archive

  • b. EHR integration

  • c. Auto-routing

  • d. Web server

  • e. Citrix

• 4. Which of the following can be used to deliver images to the enterprise?

  • a. WADO

  • b. Image compression

  • c. Just in time data delivery

  • d. All of the above

  • e. None of the above

• 5. Describe the characteristics of an “image-intensive user”

• 6. Which of the following are examples of “image-intensive users?”

  • a. Pulmonologist

  • b. Neurologists

  • c. Hospitalists

  • d. All of the above

  • e. None of the above

• 7. Describe the advantages of a PACS archive with “native” support for enterprise image distribution.

• 8. Describe how the IHE Integration Profile for Portable Data for Imaging (PDI) and the IHE Integration Profile for Import Reconciliation Workflow (IRWF) will help with your enterprise image distribution service.