How To View Dicom Images

Medical professionals in many different fields have made the switch to digital medical imaging.  The format used for these medical images is the dicom format.  Similar to the jpegs that you use on your personal computer, dicom was designed for medical applications, and it is the language that is used by most of the digital imagers, pacs systems and viewers.  Being able to view these digital images is a basic task that every medical facility that uses digital imaging will have to accomplish, but it is quite easy to do.

Dicom Viewing For Digital Medical Images

There are a few key components that are needed for dicom viewing.  First is the viewing software, which essentially runs on a personal computer or on a server.  The computer can then be linked to a network, allowing local area access or wide area access.  Some viewers are also web-based, thus allowing users to send and receive digital medical images over their networks, including virtual private networks or secure socket layers, via the World Wide Web.  Through the use of networks, multiple users can view the digital images simultaneously, which leads to easier consultations and ultimately better patient care.  

You use the software to load the dicom images that you want to see onto your outfitted computer, which is then known as a workstation.  A workstation also usually has a diagnostic monitor attached, which offers the best way to view high resolution graphics, such as dicom images, with the best clarity.

Dicom viewing has revolutionized how doctors can view and manipulate digital medical images.  Three-dimensional images can now be rendered and displayed, allowing physicians to rotate the images or view cross sections.  You can also customize your layout to meet your needs better, as well as pre-fetch relevant priors.  Side-by-side viewing of multiple images is also possible in the dicom environment.  All of this leads to improved patient care.  Digital images can be edited through zoom, contrast, brightness and other features, improving your view and the accuracy of the image.  

Another benefit that comes from using dicom images is that with a PACS appliance, you can also store your digital medical images in a dicom archive, which can then be retrieved for viewing anytime you wish.  You can experience fast retrieval times with even the largest studies through compression of the digital images, and will have access to a full selection of query and retrieval capabilities.  Using this type of digital storage system allows your medical facility to remain in compliance with HIPPA regulations while saving money on administrative and maintenance costs of film images.  

In short, the viewing of dicom images helps improve office workflow while saving money for all types of medical facilities.