Healthcare
DICOM and PACS integration checklist
Plan DICOM and PACS connectivity with a checklist for conformance, study metadata, routing failures, and imaging workflow tests.
By Globalesm
Scope a DICOM connection around a concrete use case, such as routing studies from a modality to an archive. Define when the study is considered complete and what the downstream user should see. Ask both system owners for their supported interfaces and configuration requirements.
Map the study path
Identify the source, destination, and any intermediate routing. Compare the systems’ DICOM conformance statements and the operations needed for your workflow. Record the network, access, and data-retention constraints before opening a connection.
Test metadata and exceptions
Use approved test studies to verify patient, accession, and study identifiers at the destination. Include delayed images, duplicate delivery, and metadata the receiver rejects. Confirm that operators can distinguish a complete study from a partial delivery.
Validate the handoff
Have the receiving team find the study through its normal workflow. Document how to investigate delays or failed routing, who can initiate a resend, and how to confirm recovery. Include this evidence in the operating runbook.
Put the plan into practice
Share the systems involved and the handoff your team needs to improve.