Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine (DICOM): Biomedical and Health Informatics: Imaging and Interoperability Using HL7 and DICOM

This chapter begins with an in-depth analysis of Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM), the de-factor standard for medical imaging data exchange providing insights on the foundational principles, that includes the structured format for storing and transmitting medical images, metadata, and related information. The chapter also provides insights on the DICOM services and its significance in facilitating seamless communication and interoperability among various imaging modalities, picture archiving and communication systems (PACS), and radiology information systems (RIS). The chapter then transitions in to the realm of healthcare data exchange exploring the Health Level Seven (HL7) standards that govern the exchange of clinical and administrative data across diverse healthcare systems. Furthermore, we investigate the interoperability mechanisms bridging DICOM and HL7 such as DICOM Structured Reporting (SR) and HL7 Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR). The chapter elucidates the symbiotic relationship between DICOM and HL7, underscoring their collective contribution to enhanced interoperability, data exchange, and improved patient care within the realm of medical imaging and healthcare informatics.