Automated routing of DICOM CT, MR, and CR images: solving the pitfalls of vendor-specific DICOM implementations.

This paper details our experience in developing and implementing an automated DICOM Image Router. This workstation serves as a gateway between image acquisition devices and image display and storage devices. Images are checked for demographic input errors and data format inconsistencies between the source and destination devices. Based on the configured rules, and image may be held for manual correction and/or distributed to multiple locations. Distribution is based on easily configured environmental variables and rules files which may be changed as needed. For example, CT images are typically sent to the archive and to a radiologist's display workstation. If the patient came from the Emergency Department, a copy of the images are sent to a clinician display workstation located in the Emergency Department. If the patient has suffered trauma to the head, a copy of the images are sent to a display workstation in the Neurosurgery Department for possible consultation. The software was developed on a UNIX-based platform and utilizes a Fast Ethernet network. To date, images from a variety of devices have been acquired: General Electric HiSpeed CT/I scanner, General Electric Signa MRI scanner, Philips Thoravision Digital Chest unit, and Fuji AC-3CS Computed Radiography (CR) unit. Each device has presented new challenges in providing a uniform look to patient demographics in the PACS archive. The workstation also provides a buffer in the event of network outages, storing images for later transmission when the network and/or a workstation recover.

PACS and CR implementation in a level I trauma center emergency department.

Implementation of a picture archive and communication system (PACS) at a large teaching hospital is an expensive and daunting endeavor. The approach taken at the University of Alabama Hospitals has been to assemble an institution-wide system through focused integration of smaller mini-PACS. Recently a mini-PACS using Computed Radiography (CR) has been placed in the Emergency Department (ED) of a Level I Trauma Center completely replacing conventional screen-film radiography. This area of the hospital produces approximately 250 images per day and provided many challenging requirements: the need for rapid radiography; providing good image quality for difficult examinations with potentially uncooperative patients; reproduction of lost films to maintain availability of images to multiple consulting teams; and frequently unknown patient demographics. The PACS includes both vendor-supplied and in-house developed devices for image storage, distribution, and display. Digital images are produced using two photo-stimulable phosphor CR systems. Currently, all radiographic examinations are acquired digitally with production of a hard copy film as well as electronic distribution via the PACS. Interpretation of images is done primarily via hard copy with a goal of transition to soft copy interpretation. This paper discusses the functional requirements of the PACS and solutions to workflow issues arising in the ED.