Dear AuntMinnie Member,
Canadian researchers gave a vote of confidence to the use of lossy compression for primary reading, having concluded that the technique is both clinically and legally acceptable.
The group conducted a literature review of over 120 papers on lossy compression, according to an article by staff writer Erik L. Ridley that we're featuring in our PACS Digital Community. They examined which techniques performed best (wavelet got the group's nod), as well as the impact of patient anatomy and imaging modality on the quality of compressed images.
The stakes in Canada are high. The country is moving toward implementation of a nationwide electronic health record system, and lossy compression could save on image archiving and transmission costs.
The group also analyzed the legal ramifications of lossy compression, examining whether the loss of data that occurs during compression could put imaging facilities at legal risk. Learn about their conclusions by clicking here, or visit our PACS Digital Community at pacs.auntminnie.com.
