Introduction
Pianykh, “Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) is an application with the prime function of communication through effective and efficient handling, storage, retrieval, and printing information in image form. It’s mainly applied in medical fields such as in Hospitals(3).
In the description, DICOM is operated and communicated through network protocol that requires an internet provider (IP) for systems to communicate. DICOM’s communication interface is in form of a file. The data is collected from patients and stored in two or more entries which are exchanged to obtain images in form of a format recognized by DICOM. DICOM application processes data to yield information. The information is then archived and communicated through external system hardware to print or scan images into pictures. DICOM machines are connected with remote workstations such as manufacturer’s hardware across networks. Information formats can also be transferred across networks managed by a different server thereby ensuring smooth flow of data processing and management.
Technology
Information Technology in DICOM
This information technology function involves an exchange of objects through templates to obtain images. Sources of such objects and images are derived from patients’ data arranged in structured reports and formats recognized by the system. The file formats contain templates that are unique and are capable of identifying the type of image registered. For example, it can distinguish images of ultrasound devices from other image sources. The integration of medical disciplines such as pathology and Radiation Therapy are all a result of the use of visible light which facilitates scanning and radiograph functions. It stores information based on records of patients treated and images of patients taken during the treatment process. Image communication has also been fast and accurate through the use of high-speed visible light in changing information to images.
Transport Technology in DICOM
In the transport of information, DICOM recognizes the receiver’s needs such as understanding the type of information required. The device then sends the images or objects as programmed. This creates some form of interaction between the sender and the receiver of the information from one destination to the other. Such an interaction is known as Association establishment. It involves encoding and sending relevant information through the syntax mechanism of transfer. The syntax transfer is very fast. It’s used to detect the compatibility of device functions. The technique is also used to determine the magnitude of errors resulting from exchanging image or object information.
Characteristics
Media manipulation and exchange
Media objects and images can be stored in formats that can easily be manipulated by the system administrators. Such images and objects are manipulated by the exchange in such a way that they can be recognized and interpreted by other devices that function through DICOM file formats. For example, ultrasound devices can be used to obtain information from hardware storage objects like CDs. Doctors are able to access information from CDs about patients referred from remote hospitals.
Management of information
DICOM is characterized by the services it offers in the management of information. It stores all the information through services offered by system administrators. Penalty boxes are used to store temporary and lost information for easy retrieving. The penalty boxes resemble the normal recycle bins or trash and handle temporary deleted information. The receiver of information is capable of removing and adding any image through a service known as DICOM Storage Commitment. This service transfers all the functions required to be done by the receiver with coded information format. The system is so defined that executive functions are contained in the local storage disks.
Object exchange
DICOM is the center of object exchange; collected reports from patients are changed to images through the information modification technique. This new information technology is essential in archiving pictures sourced from coded information. Radiology is an example of a mechanism used to enhance communication in medical operations.
The characteristic information pattern
DICOM involves three main components or patterns in the collection of information. In the context of observation, there is the observer who is a person or the observer of the device, procedures to follow in the course of the observation and subjects or recipients i.e. observable units of study.
Image Quality
It ensures that the images displayed are consistent with the coded patient’s information. Radiologists are able to interpret the image the same way the physicians will interpret the same image displayed. Image quality and visibility are the characteristic factors that ensure all image presentations and manipulation remain constant throughout the operation.
Structured Reporting characteristic
This is an application that enables structural exchange among similar objects and images. It interprets structured message reports about information of important images or objects and is capable of changing the structure based on the availability of the information received by the system.DICOM is made up of coded structures. According to David “It’s an item of code sequence” (42).
Mechanisms and Security
Security mechanisms enable safe and protected environments.Information access is controlled by rules and regulations.The application is password protected and the user must provide the password recognized by the system to have an access to objects and images. ‘Log in’ is prompted before access is permitted.
Another security requirement is the electronic signature.System administrators ensure no alteration of information by any user through the use of electronic signature. Therefore users with signatures have an access and can change any information as required anytime (Pianykh 247).
Uses of DICOM
Storage
It’s a service used to store and send structured information.Images obtained from the storage sources are transferred from one workstation to another within or across networks.
Storage Confirmation function
The service ensures permanent storage of images.It automatically creates a backup of images.Its controlled by safe commands for example the user must confirm that he wants to delete the image or information from the local disk either permanently or temporarily.
Retrieve
The service can be used to retrieve lost files of objects and images from the system.It can be used to search files in different locations too.
Printing
This service is used to print hard copies of images from printers. Other peripherals are interconnected and programmed to perform DICOM functions.
HL7
Health Level Seven (HL7) is an organization based on scientific functions of evaluating health information through electronic sharing and exchange. It also controls methods and procedures of retrieving, managing and delivery process.
It’s descriptive in that it incorporates high standards of efficiency and enhances effectiveness in healthcare organization.This increases the efficiency in delivery of healthcare- based information as required by the Standards Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Technology Level and characteristics of HL7
HL7 involves the use of computer systems linked to several hospitals and other healthcare organizations. Its major roles include encoding information, building structures and identifying language used in clinical reports and documents.
Components of such clinical reports include patients billing documents and other reference records such as patients’ follow-up documents. The interface links the users, the patients and the system. The three components should be capable of communicating freely with other functional parts within the healthcare organization.
Methodology in HL7 operation is based on standards, principles and control of the data flow and uniform communication of information through systems.This strategy enables hospitals to exchange and share information easily across geographical locations.Such standards are based on concept development, documentation processes and levels of standard application and the ease with which messages can be sent, received and retrieved as a function of operation.Identification of HL7 is thus guided by the factors discussed above.
Uses
Benson has discussed the benefits in the application of HL7 as:
- HL7 simplifies the inter-relation of data types and this ensures smooth hospital workflows.
- It’s fast in the retrieval process of patients’ information.It also fastens billing processes and maintains information over long period of time through storage.
- Administrative functions are supported through messaging. This facilitates financial and other organization operations through electronic messaging.
- It identifies the information model required and uses the relevant data to connect to the relevant fields.This reduces costs of carrying out the information requirements and increases efficiency and accuracy.
- HL7 incorporates functional concepts that match the system’s operation.This ensures reliability and understanding of how clinical organizations work and relate to each other as a result of this technology” (26-45).
Conclusion
Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) and Health Language Level Seven (HL7) are related in that they both show certain levels of technology application in Health information, management and organization of healthcare centers. High speed communication through networks is a vital area of concern in the study of the two health standards.Imaging technology and communication has really enhanced the diagnosis of diseases.Such information is then evaluated and shared electronically within healthcare organizations.
The benefits of the two levels of clinical information technology help in the storage and retrieval of patients’ information.Management of health care organizations has also been made simple through internet connectivity of different organizations across geographical locations.
This technology has resulted to more innovations within the field of medicine. Recent researches show that visible light is becoming a crucial component in the Radio Therapy and CT scanning operations in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases through radioactivity.
Stallings says high speed networks have improved performance and quality in its application in different fields including medicine, in the diagnosis of diseases.Therefore DICOM and HL7 has been helpful in other medical fields such endoscopy and dermatology and entirely in the identification of patients medical profiles.This has made patient attendance in healthcares smooth and efficient.Time and material resources such as money has also been saved quite a lot.
Technology has enhanced interpretation and treatment of diseases. Doctors feel comfortable in undertaking their professional duties without much stress.
Works Cited
Benson, Tim.Principles of Heath Interoperability HL7 and SNOMED: Springer, 2010.
Clunie, David; DICOM Structured Reporting; Pixel Med Publishing: Bangor, PA, 2001.
Pianykh, Oleg S. Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM); A Practical Introduction and Survival Guide: Springer; 2008.
Stallings, William.High-Speed Networks and Internets: Performance and Quality Of Service. Prentice-Hall: November 2001.