The RSNA ImageShare - Enabling Secure, Transparent, and Easy Image Exchange

Area of Science:

• Medical Informatics
• Health Information Exchange
• Radiology Interoperability

Background:

• Traditional methods like CDs/DVDs for medical image exchange proved inefficient for clinicians.
• The rise of widespread internet-based data sharing highlighted the need for modern medical image transfer solutions.
• The Radiology Society of North America (RSNA) recognized the limitations and sought to improve medical imaging interoperability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the limitations of physical media for medical image exchange.
• To develop a patient-controlled, standards-based network for internet-based medical image sharing.
• To explore the feasibility of a national-level health information exchange (HIE) for imaging exams.

Main Methods:

• The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) in 2007.
• RSNA was awarded funding to develop the RSNA ImageShare network.
• Collaboration with vendors and academic institutions, utilizing Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE) standards.

Main Results:

• RSNA ImageShare was developed over eight years as a network for sharing image-enabled personal health records (PHR).
• The network was built upon interoperability standards established by Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE).
• RSNA evaluated the project's success to consider a national-level HIE for imaging exam exchange.

Conclusions:

• RSNA ImageShare successfully created a standards-based, patient-controlled network for medical image sharing.
• The project demonstrated the potential for internet-based exchange of medical imaging exams.
• Further steps were considered to promote a national HIE mechanism for seamless imaging data exchange.