Receiving hospitals must have access to an incoming trauma patient's prior imaging to lower radiation exposure and costs from unnecessary repeat imaging studies. While CDs are the most common means of image transfer, they can also be problematic.
In June 2009, the University of Washington's Harborview Medical Center -- a level I regional trauma center -- installed a series of virtual private network (VPN) connections with outside hospitals in its region to provide secure and confidential image transfer for these patients. Thanks to that system -- as well as CT quality standards and a robust means of importing images from CDs into its PACS -- the institution was able to realize significant benefits, according to presenter Martin Gunn.
"The use of a large Internet-based system to send images between institutions during the transfer of trauma patients can lead to a significant reduction in the need to repeat imaging, thus reducing healthcare costs and radiation exposure," Gunn told AuntMinnie.com.
