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S 4.3 - Making DICOM work in the Netherlands: INFOMED2

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M.G.J.M. Gerritsen, M.H. Baljon, J.A.T.G. van Kester, F.M. van Rappard, A. Venema

Interuniversity Cardiology Institute of the Netherlands


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Abstract

A DICOM standardization initiative has been started in 8 university cardiology centers in the Netherlands. These sites will define and exchange DICOM data sets.
The project is the second phase of IMFOMED2 (IMages For MEDicine phase 2).
Its objectives are:

  • the specification of DICOM minimal datasets,
  • the validation of DICOM datasets supplied by vendors and
  • the exchange of DICOM messages.

    For the specification of minimal data sets an IMFOMED2 "MDS" application enables the cardiologists to define their own set of DICOM attributes. Multiple datasets can be specified for patient care, multicentre research and telemedicine.

    For the validation of the DICOM data sets a checker will be constructed. This software, based on the dataset requirements specified in the IMFOMED2 "MDS" application, will validate the vendor's data sets and eventually those generated by cardiologists at the participating centers..

    For the exchange of the DICOM data sets and DICOM messages, the use of Internet protocols like HTTP is one of the project's goal. Use of data encryption together with authorization, authentication and confidentiality procedures will be crucial in the DICOM exchange setup.

    The project is mainly user-driven, which places it in a unique position to bridge the information gap between vendors and users. The expectation seems justified that IMFOMED will help DICOM to become a standard that will guarantee image exchangeability and will contribute to realization of cost-effective quality improvement in cardiology.

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