Trend Map 2017: Review and State of the Art of Diagnostic Imaging Services

As came to pass with the introduction of ICT in health, diagnostic imaging services are relatively advantageous: currently, it is envisaged that digital transformation processes will incorporate cloud systems, develop new services with imaging as the main source of information and implement new projects based on artificial intelligence. At the same time, they also envisage new ways of sharing information and working with new diagnostic imaging service management models. This article was written with contributions from Carlos Gallego, Director of the Ministry of Health’s Image System.

Increasingly, digital imaging is complemented by the use of diagnostic tools based on biophysical elements, such as combining the use of various imaging techniques, image pre-processing (atlas, segmentation, and so on), and detecting and analysing different types of signals, such as the use of computerised, morphological and functional models, derived from organ and tissue modelling. Currently, combining all these processes enables a more efficient, comprehensive and accurate diagnosis of certain illnesses.

International evidence also suggests that technology is evolving towards the cloud: within this trend, the latest results of the Map are used to explore the intentions of SISCAT Provider Organisations in working with this model. Data shows that 73% of the institutions that have a Diagnostic imaging department have stated their interest in working in the cloud, which represents a 5% increase compared with 2016. Moreover, the majority of organisations are able to access the digital medical images that they generated themselves from external locations, which shows that progress has been made in regard to the availability of digital medical imaging for tele-diagnosis and other remote services.

As far as modalities integrated in the PACS are concerned, the sector is evolving towards a Neutral Vendor Archive (standardisation of formats and interfaces) where medical information generated by the organisation can be stored and managed. This enables processing of “medical objects”, not only those stemming from diagnostic imaging but also those stemming from other specialist areas like dermatology. Furthermore, organisations state that they have others, including DICOMised JPEG images (complex wound unit), digestive endoscopy, angiography, imaging produced in integrated operating theatres, CUMS, cardiology, infectious diseases, spirometry, densitometry, digestive endoscopy, campimetry, radiation protection, ultrasound, densitometry, strength testing and even DICOM images provided by the patient.

Importantly, in 2018, the application of the European directive EURATOM will make it compulsory for all institutions to notify patients how much radiation they receive during diagnostic imaging tests, which will require all PACS systems to have this feature installed. According to the results of this year’s survey, 26% do not yet have this feature installed but will rectify this in 2018, suggesting a forced increase in the number of organisations that have this feature installed in their system, despite 36% of organisations that do not yet have this feature and do not currently intend to add it.

In summary, as came to pass with the introduction of ICT in health, Diagnostic Imaging Services are relatively advantageous: currently, it is envisaged that digital transformation processes will incorporate cloud systems, develop new services with imaging as the main source of information and implement new projects based on artificial intelligence, as well as new ways to share information and develop new management models to provide a digital imaging service.

More information on the state of the art of digital imaging is available in the following document.