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The information collected can be used to identify any anatomical and physiological abnormalities, chart the progress of treatment, and provide clinicians with a database of normal patient scans for later reference. Medical images are used for clinical analysis, diagnosis and treatment as part of a patient's care plan. The term noninvasive in this context means instruments are not introduced into the patient's body - in most cases - when performing a scan. Medical imaging is typically a noninvasive process of creating a visual representation of the interior of a patient, which is otherwise hidden beneath the skin, muscle, and surrounding organ systems, for diagnostic purposes. These standards can apply to any field of medicine where medical imaging technology is predominately used, such as radiology, cardiology, oncology, obstetrics and dentistry. Vendors who manufacture imaging equipment - e.g., MRIs - imaging information systems - e.g., PACS - and related equipment often observe DICOM standards, according to NEMA. Its mission is to ensure the interoperability of systems used to produce, store, share, display, send, query, process, retrieve and print medical images, as well as to manage related workflows.
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What is DICOM used forĭICOM is the international standard to communicate and manage medical images and data.
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It is a registered trademark of NEMA and is governed by the DICOM Standards Committee, a collaboration of users across all medical imaging specialties with an interest in the standardization of medical imaging information. DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) is a standard protocol for the management and transmission of medical images and related data and is used in many healthcare facilities.ĭICOM was originally developed by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) and the American College of Radiology (ACR).
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