Establishing radiologic image transmission via a transmission control protocol internet protocol network between two teaching hospitals in Houston

The technical and management considerations necessary for the establishment of a network link between computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) networks of two geographically separated teaching hospitals a re presented. The University of Texas Medical School at Houston Department of Radiology provides radiology residency training at its primary teaching hospital and at a second county-run hospital located approximately 12 miles away, A direct network link between the two hospitals was desired to permi t timely consultative services to residents and professional colleagues. Th e network link was established by integrating the county hospital free-stan ding imaging network into the network infrastructure of the Medical School and the main teaching hospital. Technical issues involved in the integratio n were reassignment of internet protocol (IP) addresses, determination of d ata transmission protocol compatibilities, proof of connectivity and image transmission, transmission speeds and network loading, and management of th e new network, These issues were resolved in a planned stepwise fashion and despite the fact that the system has a rate-limiting T1 segment between th e county hospital and the teaching hospital the transmission speed was deem ed suitable. The project has proven successful and can provide a guide for planning similar projects elsewhere. It has in fact made possible several n ew services for the teaching and research activities of the department's fa culty and residents, which were not envisaged before the implementation of this connection. Copyright (C) 1999 by W.B. Saunders Company.