Referrer Desktop Integration - Frequently Asked Questions

What quality will I see?

Images are diagnostic quality. Advanced controls allow you to view images at full screen, view multiple images at one time, as well as zoom, pan (roam), contrast and invert your view.

How do I view images?

• You receive an electronic report from your radiology supplier as usual (typically in HL7 or PIT format). Save the report file in an MD3 holding folder or in the clinical patient record.
• Running MD3? Simply open the radiology report in MD3: the FIT Web images will automatically launch, streaming via the internet in just seconds (depending on internet connection)
• Using a different Windows-based system? Simply select the hyperlinked URL provided in the report. This will automatically launch Internet Explorer and the images will stream in. On the first occasion only, you need to accept the auto-download of a very small piece of view-control software. (To do this, accept any pop-up blocker and select ‘always allow’.)
• Don’t receive your reports electronically? Your radiology supplier can arrange for your reports to be delivered via the internet.

What is 'image streaming'?

An image ‘stream’ provides a view of the image, rather than downloading the image to your hard disk. As you zoom and roam the image, the extra image detail is rapidly ‘streamed’ to your desktop.

What do I need to view the images?

• MD3 or Internet Explorer web browser (IE6+)
• An internet connection (broadband is naturally faster)
• You should be working on a PC that runs MD3
• You need to be working with a radiology practice that is using DDI Health’s FIT Web solution
• For optimum viewing, set your PC’s default display properties to “Highest/True Color (32 bit).”

Is there a cost to me?

No. You don’t pay for film or CD, so why should you pay to receive images within Medical Director?

How can Specialists view the image if they don't use MD3?

• You can securely forward radiology reports to any Specialist using tools such as MDExchange.
• Each report contains a unique image URL. Specialists simply use this URL in Internet Explorer to view the image over a secure website.

Will it be slow to view CT studies or several large chest X-rays?

No. Filmless Image Technology is designed for efficient viewing. Image data is streamed in a compressed format, selectively streaming the data you need at the time. For example, if you zoom in on an area of interest, FIT will stream higher resolution data for that area only. This intelligent solution provides you with the detail you need with minimal pressure on your internet connection.

Will I have to upgrade my broadband download limit?

Typically not. You are not downloading the image files, but rather receiving streamed packages of highly compressed image data. The data packets are very small: opening and viewing a chest X-ray requires only about 200 kilobytes (200kb).

Can my patients view their images?

• Naturally you are able to show patients their images during consults.
• The radiology practice can also provide patients with a film or CD.

How is security guaranteed?

• The level of security is extremely high. FIT is much more secure than film or CD.
• Reports are typically delivered over a secure electronic messaging service that is SSL certified and encrypted.
• Your radiology provider will have established a secure website that requires visitors to have a digital certificate or other secure identifier before they can view images.
• Images can only be seen within MD3 when launched using an identifier unique to (and contained within) each report.
• When you forward reports, viewers will require a username and password to access images using a secure website; these are provided by the radiology practice.
• Only those who are known to the radiology group and who have received the radiology report can access the images.

Do I need to store the images?

No. You don’t download any files, so there is no data to store. Instead, the images automatically stream whenever you open the report.

How do I use FIT with my radiology providers?

If you use MD3 and your radiology provider uses DDI Health’s FIT Web server, simply contact them and ask to receive radiology images in this way.

Medical Director users with other questions can contact:

Medical Director Support on 1300 788 802 or email mdsupport@hcn.com.au

Doctors using other clinical patient systems who have other questions can contact:

DDI Health on 1300 656 219 or email info@ddihealth.com