Online availability check of teleradiology components

Area of Science:

• Medical Informatics
• Radiology Information Systems
• Network Engineering

Background:

• Teleradiology networks require robust systems for continuous operation.
• Ensuring high availability of emergency teleradiology services is critical for patient care.
• Vendor independence is desirable for flexibility and cost-effectiveness in healthcare IT.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define and implement a vendor-independent Uptime-server concept for a German region-wide teleradiology network.
• To assess the reliability and effectiveness of the Uptime-server for availability checks and error detection.
• To provide a user-friendly interface for monitoring teleradiology network performance.

Main Methods:

• Development of a vendor-independent Uptime-server concept.
• Implementation of encrypted Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine (DICOM)-e-mail transfers for monitoring.
• Automated availability checks for servers and clients, including internet line download speed.
• Creation of a graphical user interface for clinical users and system administrators.

Main Results:

• The Uptime-server concept was successfully implemented and used for over two years across 15 hospitals and nine regional partners.
• The system demonstrated reliability, functioning seamlessly with products from nine different manufacturers.
• Automated checks and immediate malfunction detection facilitated prompt responses, often without external support.
• Statistical output aids in meeting legal requirements for teleradiology line availability checks.

Conclusions:

• The vendor-independent Uptime-server concept is a reliable solution for monitoring teleradiology network availability.
• The system enhances operational efficiency and responsiveness in emergency teleradiology.
• It provides a scalable and adaptable solution for diverse healthcare settings.