Physicians, patients, and hospitals can use Connections to create network profiles, search for one another, and form one-time or more permanent associations, LifeImage said.

In its booth at next week's 2012 RSNA meeting in Chicago, LifeImage will discuss how each of its customers' profiles can be listed in the public Connections directory. Hospitals can link to that profile from their website so that external physicians and patients can begin to request permission to connect and transfer images, the company said.

Physicians, patients, and imaging service providers can connect to imaging data on CDs, remote PACS networks, scanners, or electronic health records, LifeImage said.

In the coming year, Connections will also evolve to support new models of provider collaboration, according to the firm. To help hospitals involved in accountable care organizations meet quality and cost containment goals, LifeImage said it would provide imaging duplication detection through integration with clinical decision-support and electronic medical record applications.

LifeImage wins Ohio State University contract, November 1, 2012

LifeImage completes 1st FDA inspection, September 13, 2012

LifeImage releases APIs, May 29, 2012

LifeImage hits 100M image mark, February 22, 2012

LifeImage signs cardiology practices, March 29, 2011