The Department of Veterans Affairs integration of imaging into the healthcare enterprise using the VistA Hospital Information System and Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs is integrating imaging into the healthcare enterprise by using the Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine (DICOM) standard protocols. Image management is directly integrated into the VistA Hospital Information System (HIS) software and clinical...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of digital imaging 1998-05, Vol.11 (2), p.53-64
Main Authors: Kuzmak, P M, Dayhoff, R E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Computer Communication Networks - standards
Computer networks
Computer software
Computer Systems
Computer workstations
Database systems
Diagnostic Imaging
Digital image storage
Health care
Hospital Information Systems
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted - standards
Medical imaging
Radiology
Radiology Information Systems - standards
Software
Systems Integration
United States
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
User-Computer Interface
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Summary:The United States Department of Veterans Affairs is integrating imaging into the healthcare enterprise by using the Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine (DICOM) standard protocols. Image management is directly integrated into the VistA Hospital Information System (HIS) software and clinical database. Radiology images are acquired with DICOM and are stored directly in the HIS database. Images can be displayed on low-cost clinician's workstations throughout the medical center. High-resolution diagnostic quality multimonitor VistA workstations with specialized viewing software can be used for reading radiology images. Two approaches are used to acquire and handle images within the radiology department. Some sites have a commercial Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS) interfaced to the VistA HIS, whereas other sites use the direct image acquisition and integrated diagnostic display capabilities of VistA itself. A small set of DISCOM services has been implemented by VistA to allow patient and study text data to be transmitted to image producing modalities and the commercial PACS, and to enable images and study data to be transferred back. DICOM has been the cornerstone in the ability to integrate imaging functionality into the healthcare enterprise. Because of its openness, it allows the integration of system components from commercial and noncommercial sources to work together to provide functional cost-effective solutions.
ISSN:0897-1889
1618-727X
DOI:10.1007/BF03168727