OpenRIMS: an open architecture radiology informatics management system

Area of Science:

• Medical Informatics
• Open Source Software Development

Background:

• Integrated Picture Archiving and Communication System/Radiology Information System (PACS/RIS) archives are crucial for managing medical imaging data.
• Current systems often involve multiple interfaces, leading to potential data inconsistencies and increased development costs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an integrated PACS/RIS archive using open-source tools and methods.
• To reduce development costs, improve data consistency, and promote standardized data mining in radiology.

Main Methods:

• Constructed a multitiered architecture utilizing a single database with an ODBC bridge to a Linux server.
• Implemented HL7, DICOM, and HTTP connections for seamless data flow and interoperability.
• Supported human interaction via a web browser and automated services via HL7 and DICOM links.

Main Results:

• The system accepts HL7 orders, schedules examinations, provides DICOM worklists, archives studies, and supports DICOM query/retrieve.
• The primary database schema and key web user interface components are complete.
• Development is ongoing, with focus on the DICOM/HL7 interface broker and DICOM service classes.

Conclusions:

• Open-source development offers an inexpensive and adaptable model for PACS/RIS integration.
• Integration minimizes data redundancy and enhances consistency, improving radiology workflow.
• Widespread adoption can lead to standardized data mining tools, benefiting users in medical imaging analysis.