IS&C (Image Save & Carry) standard: standardized exchange media for medical information

There has been a strong need for a standardized medical image exchange media. MEDIS-DC in Japan created IS&C as a standard for this purpose, based on 5.25' rewritable magneto-optic discs, with many specifications such as fast speed read/write, independence of apparatus vendor, additional security features, and data format compatible to ACR-NEMA v.2 image format. IS&C is already applied to many institutions, as an alternative for fast expensive networks, long term image casebases and media for teaching file distribution. The IS&C committee hopes this standard will be: 1) used at clinics and hospitals, promoting exchange of information between them, 2) harmonized with other standardization activities, and 3) a basis for future electronic semantic medical records.