In an article published in the Journal of Digital Imaging, the HIMSS-SIIM Enterprise Imaging Community encouraged the use of a pre-existing body part ontology for labelling. They urged labelling images with standard Digital Imaging Communications in Medicine (DICOM) Anatomic Region Sequence codes, or their equivalent, to enhance the users’ ability to consume data, facilitate interoperability, and increase privacy control. Their rationale is summarised below.

 

Data consumption

Users like to see relevant comparison images of the same lesion or anatomic region presented automatically when viewing patient images. Since relevant comparison images are often acquired using many modalities and through many specialities, an Anatomic Region Sequence data element can provide a basis for efficient comparison.Useful image presentation can be achieved by using associated metadata to search and identify appropriate multimedia objects automatically. Multiple data elements can be used to determine relevance.



 

Interoperability

Patients often move between health care systems. If data is to be efficiently shared, images acquired by one provider site must be consumable by any provider at any organisation. Agreed-upon standards simplify data transfer and consumption. The metadata labelling system should be standardised to provide a common vocabulary and enhance interoperability. Using Anatomic Region Sequence labelling facilitates the population of standard values with in the site or across different locations and systems.

 

Privacy

Patient privacy and data need to be safeguarded and secure.They are instances where potentially sensitive light photographs (e.g., genitalia) are entered into imaging archives. Standard coded values in the Anatomic Region Sequence identify potentially sensitive images, which simplifies the creation of access control policies. 

 

The authors emphasise that providers and industry representatives work together to select an existing body part ontology to meet end-user needs. Once a standard ontology is proposed vendors should support it to achieve the potential of enterprise imaging.

 

Source:Journal of Digital Imaging

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DICOM, enterprise imaging, 360 imaging, Enterprise Imaging Strategy, HIMSS-SIIM In an article published in the Journal of Digital Imaging, the HIMSS-SIIM Enterprise Imaging Community encouraged using a pre-existing body part ontology.