The RSNA ImageShare — Enabling Secure, Transparent, and Easy Image Exchange

In the early 2000s, the radiology community was awakened to the limitations of electronic media (CDs, DVDs) for exchanging imaging exams. Clinicians frustrated by the time-consuming task of opening discs, while Internet-based exchange of music, photos, and videos were becoming more widespread. The RSNA, which had extensive experience working on interoperability issues in medical imaging, began to look for opportunities to address the issue. In 2007, in the wake of the financial crisis, the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) issued an RFP to address Internet-based exchange of medical images. The RFP defined requirements for the network, including that it needed to be patient controlled and standards based. The RSNA was awarded funding for what came to be known as RSNA ImageShare. Over the next 8 years, the RSNA worked in partnership with several vendors and academic institutions to create a network for sharing image-enabled personal health records (PHR). The foundation of interoperability standards used in ImageShare was provided by Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE), a standards-development organization with which RSNA has had a long association. In 2018 and 2019, the RSNA looked at what had been accomplished and asked if we could take that next step at a national level and promote a solution by which any standards-compliant party could exchange imaging exams through an HIE mechanism.