Digital image storage

Film has long been considered the gold standard for displaying and storing clinical images. But that may be changing. Digital technology--specifically digital imaging and storage technology--has advanced to the point where it can now deliver on the promises envisioned years ago. That is, the ability to provide any image, virtually anywhere, at any time--a goal that could never be achieved with film. Achieving this goal, however, requires a properly implemented digital infrastructure, including effective digital image storage. As early adopters will attest, digital image storage can be difficult to implement. It requires the careful selection and implementation of storage technologies and the continuous management of storage operations. In this Guidance Article, we address many of the issues facing the healthcare professionals charged with managing this process: We introduce the topic of medical digital storage, discussing how it is accomplished and why storing images is not that different from storing other forms of data. We review the available storage alternatives, from fast-access hard drives and RAIDs to long-term magnetic tape and optical disc storage. We delve into the issue of image compression, describing what compression is and how much can be used without affecting patient care. And we review the pertinent legal, regulatory, and management issues. When committing to a digital image workflow, it is essential that a healthcare facility give careful consideration to data storage issues, since poor choices can lead to significant long-term costs for the facility.