RSNA announces effort to strengthen image sharing across radiology

The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) is joining forces with key players in the data exchange industry and radiology vendor community to bolster imaging informatics infrastructure and standards.

Virginia-based Carequality—dedicated to expanding online access to health records—and RSNA have joined into an agreement with Ambra Health, LifeImage and Philips Healthcare to adopt the Carequality Imaging Data Exchange Implementation program. The goal, according to RSNA, is to ditch the inconvenience and expense of sharing images via CDs and DVDs and pivot toward a DICOM-based exchange network.

The three vendors will help encourage their customers to share imaging studies in 2020. The RSNA believes the project can make data more accessible to patients and their care teams for more “efficient and informed” healthcare.

"We are truly entering the era of safe, secure and expeditious exchange of imaging information, making it easily accessible for the patient's benefit, when the patient most needs it," David S. Mendelson, MD, vice chair of radiology IT at The Mount Sinai Health System, said in a statement.

Carequality’s Interoperability Framework is already used at tens of thousands of care sites across the U.S., exchanging more than 80 million patient documents each month. It provides governance and technical specifications for institutions to exchange health information. The Sequoia Project will also play a central role, bringing its interoperability expertise to the project, according to the RSNA.

""

Matt joined Chicago’s TriMed team in 2018 covering all areas of health imaging after two years reporting on the hospital field. He holds a bachelor’s in English from UIC, and enjoys a good cup of coffee and an interesting documentary.

Around the web

A total of 16 cardiology practices from 12 states settled with the DOJ to resolve allegations they overbilled Medicare for imaging agents used to diagnose cardiovascular disease. 

CCTA is being utilized more and more for the diagnosis and management of suspected coronary artery disease. An international group of specialists shared their perspective on this ongoing trend.

The new technology shows early potential to make a significant impact on imaging workflows and patient care.