Kevin W. McEnery MD, Presenter: Advisor, Koninklijke Philips NV

Habib Tannir MS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To determine the consistency of institutional naming identification as stored in the DICOM header tags: Institution Name (0x00080080) and Institution Address (0x00080081).

The study period included CT modality “outside” image studies presented for storage to PACS with original study date study from 1/1/2013 - 4/1/2014. DICOM header tags including Institution Name and Institution Address were abstracted into a SQL database and then analyzed. Manual review of image name and address data indicated a distribution of cases from across the United States as well as countries outside the USA.

A total of 34,829 external CT studies presented to PACS for storage were analyzed. Institution Name and Address field contained data for 12,221 (35.09%) studies. Institution name only was provided in 22,287 (63.99%) studies. For 296 (0.85%) no information was stored in either name or address tag. For 25 (0.07%) studies information was stored in only the address field. For studies with both name and address there were 2,977 unique Name and address combinations. However, in numerous instances the combinations were redundant given inconsistency of address standardization: for example naming street, city, state on one modality device and only city, state on another.

Inconsistency in identification of origination organization in DICOM fields containing Institution Name and Address adversely affects the utility of the DICOM standard to enable imaging interoperability. This analysis has demonstrated in a majority of instances this data is incomplete.  While this does not impact the ability of image transfer to PACS it does impact the continuity of care in the instance when additional prior studies are needed. Imaging organizations, such as the RSNA or ACR should engage to provide visibility to this issue to further enhance the capabilities of the DICOM standard. However, the solution to the issue ultimately is the responsibility of each imaging organization to ensure that every modality is configured to consistently and accurately identify institution name and address.

The DICOM standard has provided the standard to allow successful image study transfer either with CD-based media or direct electronic transfer. However, inconsistency in normalization of data within elements within the DICOM header adversely impacts efficient interoperability across healthcare enterprises.

McEnery, K, Tannir, H, DICOM Imaging Metadata: Inconsistency of Institution Name and Institution Address Information Impacts Interoperability.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14018483.html