Teleradiology

Teleradiology

Introduction

Teleradiology is a subdivision of telemedicine and an application of advanced communications for displaying and storing technologies. Teleradiology supports in the secure transmission of patient's diagnostic images. X-rays, CTs and MRIs are the modern day examples of secure transmission of radiographic patient images, besides others. There are three components of a basic Teleradiology system. The assignment aims to understand the components of basic teleradiology system, the liability issues associated with the teleradiology practice, globally. Further, the assignment will strive to identify the technical risks involved in transmission of images in teleradiology, by analyzing the fundamental technical risks attached to transmission of images in teleradiology.

Discussion

The examination, monitoring and treatment of patients located away from the physician, is supported through telemedicine. A subdivision of telemedicine, which aids in the transmission of radiological patient diagnostic images, is called teleradiology. Teleradiology allows the transmission of patient diagnostic images from one location to another, improving the patient care system. It is only possible through teleradiology that trained health professionals are available anywhere, virtually. However, specialized software is required to transmit patient images and facilitate the Radiologist to efficiently analyze the results in the image. Teleradiology utilizes advance, as well as, standard network technologies such as: image compression, voice recognition, and internet and telephone connections, besides others. In addition to its massive application in the arena of medical, teleradiology also assists in training new radiologists, supports training of radiologists in developing countries and facilitates execution of radiological processes in space, besides others.

Teleradiology System Components

There are three major components in a rudimentary teleradiology system, which are an image-sending station, receiving/image review station and a transmission network. These components are significant to effective implementation of teleradiological system.

Image Sending Station

An image sending station is one of the two computers connected through internet, which is sending the image to the other computer. The image, to be sent, is acquired through modern medical devices that connect directly to the computer. The medical device helps in the acquiring and storing of the radiographic images. The radiographic image, once acquired and stored on the sending system, is scanned and sent via secure network connection to the receiving computer.

Receiving/Image Review Station

The receiving/image review station is one of the two computers connected via internet that receives the radiographic image. The image received is encoded in a digital format as computer systems are electronic devices that manipulate data in digital format. The computer system at the receiving end is capable of viewing, printing, scanning and storing the radiographic images at the system.

Transmission Network

It is a network that facilitates digital transmission of radiographic images from the image sending station to the image receiving and reviewing station. The transmission network must be a secure in order to protect the mishandling of the radiographic images.

There are certain standards, for teleradiology, to be maintained to ensure an extensible interoperability by sending and receiving data, utilizing devices, conforming to these standards. The standards create an alliance that needs not to be dependent upon particular ...