Teleradiology consists of the transfer of imaging data and diagnostic results obtained through a radiological examination. Sometimes, a radiologist may not be present on-site at healthcare facilities to examine and infer results for radiological examinations. This may cause delay in diagnosis and treatment, which is especially disadvantageous in emergency situations. Teleradiology allows the transfer of data for the remote analysis and interpretation of images by radiology experts.
A typical teleradiology workflow is explained below:
When a patient arrives with a complaint, the attending physician records the patient's clinical data, such as medical history, signs and symptoms, any existing medication, etc. Based on this assessment, the urgency of the case is determined (routine, urgent, or emergency/STAT). Next, the physician refers the patient for a medical examination.
Before performing a radiological examination, certain preparations are required based on the type of test selected. These include checking the vitals like heart rate, blood pressure, pulse, etc. For contrast-enhanced tests, an allergen test is required for the contrasting agent used. In some tests, hydration or fasting might be required before the examination.
After the necessary preparations are completed, the radiological test is performed on-site by a technician. There are standardized protocols set to ensure safe and accurate diagnostic procedures. For emergency cases, pre-standardized adaptations are made to save crucial time.
The images obtained after a radiological diagnosis need to be assessed by a licensed radiologist. Using teleradiology, a licensed radiologist assesses the radiology examination images remotely. The diagnostic images are sent to the radiologist electronically for further analysis.
Once the images are obtained, the radiologist carefully assesses them for abnormalities like swelling, extra mass, tissue rupture, etc. These abnormalities must be differentiated from artifacts to ensure accurate diagnosis.
After the radiological analysis is completed, the radiologist prepares a report detailing the results, inferences, and recommendations regarding the diagnosis. This report can be signed only by a licensed radiologist or a radiology subspecialist. The signed report is then converted into an encrypted format to ensure the patient's data safety.
The encrypted report is sent to the healthcare facility using PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System)/RIS (Radiology Information System) or a secure email delivery system.
Teleradiology services are extensively used by the following healthcare and related institutions:
To ensure consistent quality in teleradiology services, the following measures are followed: