Teleradiology Technology Infrastructure

Teleradiology is the process of transmitting radiological images—such as X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds—from one location to another for interpretation or consultation. A reliable, secure, and scalable teleradiology system requires a well-integrated infrastructure of hardware, software, and network components to ensure seamless image acquisition, transmission, storage, viewing, and reporting.

1. Image Acquisition

• Modality Equipment: Includes X-ray, CT, MRI, Ultrasound, PET, and other imaging devices.

• DICOM Compliance: All modalities must adhere to the DICOM standard to ensure interoperability across systems.

• PACS Integration: Medical images are initially stored in a local PACS before being routed for remote interpretation.

2. PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System)

• Serves as a centralized digital repository for all medical images.

• Supports query/retrieve, routing, and image manipulation.

• Acts as the interface between imaging devices and the teleradiology system.

• Facilitates local access and preliminary reviews.

3. RIS (Radiology Information System)

• Manages patient demographics, scheduling, exam tracking, and report management.

• Integrates with PACS and Hospital Information Systems (HIS) for unified workflows.

• Provides radiologists with access to patient history, study metadata, and prior reports.

4. Teleradiology Gateway / Middleware

• Acts as a secure bridge between the local PACS and remote radiologists.

• Key functions:

  • DICOM routing

  • Image compression (lossless/lossy)

  • Encryption & anonymization

  • Quality assurance checks

  • Audit logging for compliance and traceability

5. Network & Transmission

• Secure VPN or Encrypted Tunnel: Ensures secure transmission over public or private networks.

• Bandwidth Optimization: Through smart compression, caching, and prefetching.

• Failover & Redundancy: High availability configurations to maintain operations during outages.

6. Remote Workstation / Cloud Viewer

• Diagnostic-Grade Viewer: Fully DICOM-compliant with tools like:

  • MPR (Multi-Planar Reconstruction)

  • 3D Volume Rendering

  • Precision measurement tools

• Integrated Reporting Tools: Supports voice dictation and structured reporting.

• Hardware Requirements:

  • Dual high-resolution monitors (5MP for mammography, 3MP for CT/MRI)

  • Ergonomic, HIPAA-compliant work environment

7. Reporting & Communication

• Voice Recognition & Dictation Software: Accelerates turnaround time.

• Structured Reporting: Standardized templates and terminology for consistency.

• HL7 Integration: For seamless report delivery to RIS, HIS, or EMR systems.

• Critical Alerts: STAT notifications via email, SMS, or in-app alerts.

8. Cloud Storage & Archiving

• Redundant Cloud Storage: Secure, encrypted image storage with automatic backups.

• Compliance-Based Retention Policies: Configurable retention to meet HIPAA, GDPR, and regional regulations.

• Access Control: Role-based permissions ensure patient confidentiality and data integrity.

9. Security & Compliance

• Encryption: Data is encrypted both at rest and in transit.

• Authentication & Access Control:

  • Multi-factor authentication (MFA)

  • Role-based access management

• Audit Trails: Logs all user access and system activity.

• Regulatory Compliance: Fully aligns with HIPAA, GDPR, ACR, and local healthcare laws.

10. Support & Maintenance

• 24/7 Technical Support: Minimizes downtime and operational disruptions.

• Automated System Monitoring: Real-time alerts for system health and performance.

• Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity Plans: Ensures system resilience during outages or cyber incidents.