Initial Experience of 10 Imaging Vendors With the IHE SHARAZONE: a New Distributed Peer to Peer Test Service for DICOM Objects

Abstract The cross-vendor exchange of DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) images and objects has been identified as a crucial factor in improving the robustness of product interoperability in the healthcare industry. This, in turn, accelerates innovation and advances the field of medical imaging. Despite multiple attempts to establish a sustainable model for the sharing of DICOM samples, the industry has yet to see a successful implementation. To address this issue, Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE) has created the IHE SHARAZONE, a continuous cross-vendor DICOM data sharing test service. IHE is a well-respected organization in the healthcare industry, known for its ability to turn standards such as DICOM, HL7 V2, HL7 CDA and HL7 FHIR into practical, real-world solutions for clinical practice. The IHE SHARAZONE aims to provide a solution for the need for a reliable and consistent cross-vendor DICOM data sharing system. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the IHE SHARAZONE, a five-month pilot was conducted with ten imaging vendors. The pilot concluded with a participant survey, the results of which are reported in this publication. The findings of the survey provide valuable insights into the initial experience with the IHE SHARAZONE, and can inform future improvements and developments to this important service. The healthcare industry is constantly evolving, and it is essential that medical imaging technology keeps pace with these advancements. The IHE SHARAZONE provides a crucial step towards achieving this goal, by enabling cross-vendor exchange of DICOM images and objects, and improving the robustness of product interoperability. This, in turn, will accelerate innovation and advance the field of medical imaging, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.