Consensus Statement - Managing the Transition to Digital Diagnostic Imagings

Arising from a meeting held on June 12 at the College of Surgeons, the following Consensus Statement concerning the transition to Digital Diagnostic Imaging was prepared.  Dr Neil Vallance (Board Chair) represented ASOHNS at this meeting.  A working party of interested groups will be formed to progress this issue.  The full statement follows ...

• The referring practitioner should have access to appropriate diagnostic quality images.
• A radiology service comprises both the clinically appropriate diagnostic image and the report.
• During the transition to digital diagnostic imaging, it is important that referring doctors have access to appropriate imaging in an appropriate format.
• Different referral groups will have different requirements and these need to be recognized by the referral group and the imaging provider.
• An element of training is seen as an important component of this process.
• The implementation of a Code of Practice for provision of digital diagnostic imaging is supported.
• It is accepted that this transition will involve increased costs to the referrer and provider of the service.

Delivery

• The delivery medium of imaging to a referring doctor will change with the transition period from film through to data storage, ultimately with intranet and internet services.

Access and Viewing

• There must be a national standard for access to digital diagnostic imaging, such that images are quickly and easily accessible.

• Where images are delivered on a transfer medium, these must be readily opened in a standard, readily available process with commonly used programs.

• Standards for viewing platforms must be devised in a way that ensures compatibility between the radiology provider and the clinician who is viewing the image.

• These standards must be set in a way so that the standards can be improved as improvements in technology occur.
• There must be engagement with hospitals, such that appropriate provision of viewing stations is provided.
• There must be sufficient high standard viewing screens in operating theatres, wards and clinics.
• Viewing screens will need to be provided, such that more than one image can be viewed at one time for comparison purposes.
• Wide bandwidth fast internet frameworks are envisaged as a way of the future, but will need Government support.

Public and Private settings

• Currently, in the private practice setting the responsibility for storage of imaging is usually held by the patient.  In public facilities, the hospital is generally responsible for storing imaging.
• There is a need for communication between the public and private sectors, such that data transfer between providers between public and private (and reverse) is readily achieved.

Storage

• During the transition period the patient will be the agent for the storage of images on durable portable media. It is envisaged that a internet based offsite storage facility will develop with time.
• With the transition to digital imaging, there will be an increasing need for the provider of  imaging to store the diagnostic standard imaging for an appropriate minimum time.
• The transition from current storage facilities must continue to ensure high quality diagnostic standard imaging is available.

Stakeholders

A working party of interested groups will be formed to include:

• Australian Diagnostic Imaging Association
• Australian Medical Association
• Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
• Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists
• Surgical Specialty Societies