Digitales ArchivierungsZentrum für Ulm und Umgebung

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Objective of the project

The DAZU project should answer the following questions:

• Is digital radiologic imaging feasible? Are experiences available?
• What benefits or disadvantages (medical and financial) might be expected from moving from conventional film based radiologic imaging towards digital imaging, storage and communication techniques?
• What necessary investments and other costs would be associated with this move?
• What would be advantages of different data storage strategies (local, central, distributed and virtually central) and would a central archiving service be feasible?
• What services and what kind of know-how should a central service organization offer to be worthwile and useful for end-users?
• What technology and which communication concepts could or should be used?
• What would and what should it all cost?
• What about data protection, especially in combination with external storage of medical data?
• Is there interest in the field of end-users for such solutions? How much?

Methods

First, available technologies were analysed. The WWW was searched for material on this topic. A survey among potential users of a digital archiving centre was conducted in the city of Ulm and the surrounding area to examine the current situation in image production and archiving and their interest in a digital solution. From the collected data, a complex model was generated to examine costs and benefits of a move towards digital technology. As it can be adapted to future developments, this model can be of continued value even after the end of the project.

After a final meeting in January 1999, the participating parties concluded to consider further steps to implement a DAZU based on the results of the project.

Project report and scenario modelling worksheets

Aside from a detailed report, the project resulted in a complex set of electronic worksheets. Based on real-life data collected during the project, they allow the user to model detailed scenarios according to the local situation in any given practice, hospital or large clinic. These scenarios can take into account different strategies of data acquisition, storage and communication, necessary staff and software as well as the last market prices for computer hardware. They also cover varying examination rates, attitudes against doing radiologic examinations and so on.

Comparing the situation after the move against the current one, they account for spendings for film, chemicals, quality assurance, storage and handling and disposal of conventional media.

After the end of the project, these worksheets contain about 200 different scenarios. Used by experts and kept up to date with technologic advances, the model can support strategic decisions addressing the large-scale concept of a DAZU service centre. On the "receiving end", scenarios can be tailor-made to reflect the situation of any one individual end-user (or DAZU customer), giving him a precise forecast on what he has to invest and what he can expect from that.

Current results

Right after completion, the project suggested (more than) the following:

• Digital imaging is feasible and there are several sites around the world, where it has been implemented.
• Medically, digital technology offers substantial advantages, mainly resulting from easy communication.
• Financially, advantages of digital systems are awsome: While improving availability and security of images, the University Clinic of Ulm might easily save about 3 Million DM (about 1,5 Mio. Euro or USD) each year. Even practices with relatively small numbers of examinations might save. Savings might be kept or reinvested in further improvement of medical services.
• Just like data availability, data protection can be much better in the digital environment than it is now. But it certainly has to be taken care for by someone with detailed knowledge of applicable law as well as of applicable technology.
• Different solutions to establish communication are possible, they should be tailored to different end users' needs. If the Internet is used, Virtual Private Networking should be implemented.
• In our country, communication costs for external storage are probably higher than costs for local digital storage.
• Physically distributed, but virtually central storage within a network and with intelligent communication on demand might be most advantageous.
• End-users are interested in advantages offered by digital radiology.
• A DAZU service centre should definitely offer more than just central storage or secure communication. Being reliable and competent, it could operate in a very promising market.

Sponsors and sources of further information

The project was initiated by PD Dr. med. Roman Sokiranski, Radiology Department of the University of Ulm, Germany. After initial contributions from a third party, the project was re-designed and completed by Dr. med. Jörg Sigle under Dr. Sokiranskis supervision.

The project was sponsored by (in alphabetical order):

• Deutsche Telekom AG
• KODAK AG
• Siemens AG
• The City of Ulm, Germany

We wish to thank our sponsors for their generous support.

According to our agreement with the sponsors, you can receive further information on the project from the sources listed here. A detailed project report is to be published later in the year.