Introduction to Dicom for the Practicing Veterinarian

Abstract

Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine (DICOM) is a communication protocol that imaging devices use to communicate. The universal acceptance of the DICOM standard by the major medical vendors means that the digital transition in veterinary medicine should be relatively smooth provided DICOM is used. DICOM service objects, roles, service classes, and conformance standards are discussed. The authors strongly encourage the use of image acquisition software and image archive systems that support the DICOM standard. Veterinary

Veterinary Teleradiology

“…Using non‐DICOM file formats is not recommended for medicolegal reasons. For more information about DICOM, see the article in this Supplement 4 …”

Transitioning to digital radiography

“…DICOM is a standardized file format/communication protocol created by the National Electrical Manufactures and the ACR to allow interconnectivity between imaging devices 23–25 . The DICOM standard is available on‐line 26 .…”

“…DICOM conformance is voluntary and is not governed by an official organization 23–25 . However, it is recommended that vendors provide a DICOM conformance statement c, 24,25 .…”

Hospital, Radiology, and Picture Archiving and Communication Systems

“…While this may be a viable option in large veterinary hospitals and university veterinary teaching hospitals, having a separate RIS and HIS in smaller veterinary practices adds an unnecessary level of complexity and expense. However, a module that generates a DICOM Modality Worklist from the HIS order and links images to the electronic medical record either via the accession number (automatically generated sequential number) or the Study Unique Identifying number, 1 can dramatically improve efficiency and data accuracy. Currently, a very small number of veterinary HIS vendors provide a DICOM modality worklist or have any integration between patient images and the HIS.…”