Dear Imaging Informatics Insider,
The use of CDs for image sharing purposes won't be missed by too many when widespread adoption of electronic image transmission finally takes hold. However, inconsistent institutional practices in completing DICOM header tags could be a real stumbling block.
Researchers from MD Anderson Cancer Center found that nearly two-thirds of external CT studies stored in their PACS had incomplete identification of the originating organization and address in the DICOM header. This could have a real clinical impact if the radiology reports or additional prior imaging studies are needed, according to Dr. Kevin McEnery.
Our coverage of Dr. McEnery's presentation at RSNA 2014 is the subject of this edition's Insider Exclusive, which you have access to before our regular members.
Although medical imaging used to rely on grayscale images, that's no longer the case. Nowadays, color images make up the majority of imaging studies, and this percentage will likely only increase in the future.
Unfortunately, there's still no consensus standard for how color information on medical images needs to be visualized on color displays, and also for how medical color displays need to be calibrated to ensure standardized and consistent color behavior, said Tom Kimpe, PhD, from display firm Barco.
Enter the Color Standard Display Function (CSDF), a proposed extension to the DICOM Grayscale Standard Display Function (GSDF) that would bring display calibration into the color era. Learn more in our coverage of Kimpe's RSNA 2014 presentation on CSDF.
Momentum has been steadily building for the use of clinical decision support in ordering imaging studies, but a recent report from RAND questioned the software's effectiveness in reducing unnecessary imaging and ensuring the appropriateness of imaging studies. The report, which evaluated the Medicare Imaging Demonstration project, found that decision support did not significantly improve appropriate ordering of imaging studies, but it did frustrate physicians.
Critics of the study pointed to its design and small sample size to refute the findings. Associate Editor Kate Madden Yee has our coverage of the report, which you can access by clicking here.
Is there a topic you'd like to see covered in the Imaging Informatics Community? As always, please feel free to drop me a line.
