Radiologic image sharing among U.S. children's hospitals.

Abstract

There is no streamlined approach for sharing radiologic images among medical institutions. Common methods to transfer imaging between facilities include electronic image-sharing platforms and physical media, such as compact discs (CDs). The prompt and secure transfer of imaging is vital for patient safety as demand for imaging increases. Use a survey-based study to outline the methods and difficulties of image sharing among U.S. children's hospitals. A multi-question survey regarding radiologic image sharing was distributed to children's hospital department chairs in the United States in August 2021. Descriptive statistical analyses of the results were performed. Our results reveal 78% of responding U.S. children's hospitals have an electronic image-sharing platform. Twenty-seven percent of surveyed institutions experience daily difficulties with radiologic image sharing. Most of the difficulties are with CDs (67%) and a lack of interoperability among electronic image-sharing platforms (51%). Our study identified the various methods used by U.S. children's hospitals for radiologic image sharing and quantified the ongoing challenges with these systems.