Micah Shawn Adams BA, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Eliot L. Siegel MD, Abstract Co-Author: Research grant, General Electric Company Speakers Bureau, Siemens AG Board of Directors, Carestream Health, Inc Research grant, XYBIX Systems, Inc Research grant, Steelcase, Inc Research grant, Anthro Corp Research grant, RedRick Technologies Inc Research grant, Evolved Technologies Corporation Research grant, Barco nv Research grant, Intel Corporation Research grant, Dell Inc Research grant, Herman Miller, Inc Research grant, Virtual Radiology Research grant, Anatomical Travelogue, Inc Medical Advisory Board, Fovia, Inc Medical Advisory Board, Mercury Computer Systems, Inc Medical Advisory Board, McKesson Corporation Medical Advisory Board, Carestream Health, Inc Medical Advisory Board, Bayer AG Medical Advisory Board, TeraRecon, Inc

David S. Mendelson MD, Abstract Co-Author: Spouse, employee, Novartis AG Advisory Board, Nuance Communications, Inc

In order for image sharing to enter the next stage of sophistication, a standards based model for the distribution of images and reports has to be created. The RSNA is currently involved in a process of making this a reality by developing an edge appliance and reference model for consumption by the imaging community. This open source platform is still in development, but we expect it to make a significant impact on the availability of medical information to patients and referring physicians.

Currently, images are still distributed to patients and referring physicians on CD format. Institutions conducting research, collaborating with other regional institutions, and providing care to patients in disparate geographic areas are all challenged in obtaining patient studies and images. There has yet to be a reference model in place that facilitates image sharing between institutions. The RSNA, in collaborative effort with Mayo Clinic, UCSF, The University of Chicago, The University of Maryland, and Mount Sinai, is developing an open source reference model for image sharing.

There are three main elements to the Image Sharing architecture: 1) An Edge Appliance that is located at each participatory site, which transmits images and reports to the second element, an data Clearinghouse. 2) The Clearinghouse element, which aggregates studies and reports, and serves as a temporary repository for these data objects, and 3) a Patient Health Record, which stores images in the long term, and gives patient-level access to reports and images. Initial development has centered on creating the first component of the architecture, a generalizable and robust edge appliance.

Even with a reference platform, image sharing is a difficult challenge. IT security policy is confining, yet the lack of embracing standards is problematic as well. IHE attempts to set standards for image sharing, but full acceptance of the XDS.b profile is lacking. Public Health Records are not widely utilized, simply because the interoperability between these components and sites has not been answered yet. Even with a standards based platform, the need for community involvement is great and critical to success.

Adams, M, Siegel, E, Mendelson, D, The RSNA Image Sharing Initiative: A Reference Model for Cross-Institutional Image Sharing with Patient Health Records.  Radiological Society of North America 2010 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2010 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2010/9011118.html