DICOM vs. JPG Digital Images for Veterinary Medicine

Industry Leading Medical Image Management with HVMS: Becoming the New Gold Standard!

So what is DICOM?

Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine is the industry standard for handling, storing, printing and transmitting medical imaging information. DICOM is used in both human medicine and in veterinary medicine.

DICOM files can be exchanged between two entities that are capable of receiving image and patient data in the file format. Furthermore, DICOM allows for the integration of devices such as scanners, servers, workstations, printers and network hardware from multiple manufacturers into a picture archiving and communications system (PACS). DICOM differs from other data formats as it groups information into data sets. This mens that a DICOM medical image file actually containts the patient ID within the file itself, ensuring the image can not be separated from this information by accident.

How do DICOM images differ from JPG images?

In addition to the inclusion of the patient ID within the image file, DICOM also offers significantly higher image quality. Image quality is not standardized to a certain level with JPGs. In addition, JPG images can look significantly different on different monitors, as well as appear different based on the display settings of individual monitors. All this means that JPG images can often be insufficient for viewing results and providing a proper medical diagnoses for patients.

The advanced imaging capabilities of HVMS allow DICOM images to be viewed from within the software, ensuring veterinarians can accurately view important images in an effecient manner. HVMS also allows for daily worklists to be driven directly to imaging modalities, again dramatically increasing the efficiency of a practice while supporting best medical practices.