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Organizing DICOM imaging files and radiology reports for review

A non-clinical checklist for naming, preserving, and sharing imaging records for administrative review.

Updated

Review statusEditorially reviewed for process only; not reviewed by a physician.

EN
Organizing DICOM imaging files and radiology reports for review

AI-generated editorial illustration, not a photograph of the named city, hospital or patient.

Purpose and limits

Confirm whether the team wants the DICOM series, a viewer export, the radiology report, or all three. DICOM is a file and communication standard, not a clinical conclusion. A coordination checklist cannot confirm acceptance, eligibility, price, insurance, visa permission, border clearance, or any medical outcome. Write the answer owner and next review date beside every open item, so an unanswered request does not look like a completed decision.

Before sending, compare the request with your index and remove files that were not requested or authorised. Confirm whether the team wants the DICOM series, a viewer export, the radiology report, or all three. DICOM is a file and communication standard, not a clinical conclusion. Ask which official team owns the answer, what format is accepted, and when a written response should be expected.

Build the record pack

Create one study row with the examination date, facility, study identifier, report date, and body area exactly as recorded. Do not invent missing fields. A coordination checklist cannot confirm acceptance, eligibility, price, insurance, visa permission, border clearance, or any medical outcome. Write the answer owner and next review date beside every open item, so an unanswered request does not look like a completed decision.

Before sending, compare the request with your index and remove files that were not requested or authorised. Create one study row with the examination date, facility, study identifier, report date, and body area exactly as recorded. Do not invent missing fields. Ask which official team owns the answer, what format is accepted, and when a written response should be expected.

Name and preserve versions

Preserve the original folder structure and metadata; make a working copy for renaming or translation instead of altering the source. A coordination checklist cannot confirm acceptance, eligibility, price, insurance, visa permission, border clearance, or any medical outcome. Write the answer owner and next review date beside every open item, so an unanswered request does not look like a completed decision.

Before sending, compare the request with your index and remove files that were not requested or authorised. Preserve the original folder structure and metadata; make a working copy for renaming or translation instead of altering the source. Ask which official team owns the answer, what format is accepted, and when a written response should be expected.

Share securely

Use the approved secure portal or transfer method. Do not place identifiable images or reports in a public link, ordinary chat, or unencrypted attachment. A coordination checklist cannot confirm acceptance, eligibility, price, insurance, visa permission, border clearance, or any medical outcome. Write the answer owner and next review date beside every open item, so an unanswered request does not look like a completed decision.

Before sending, compare the request with your index and remove files that were not requested or authorised. Use the approved secure portal or transfer method. Do not place identifiable images or reports in a public link, ordinary chat, or unencrypted attachment. Ask which official team owns the answer, what format is accepted, and when a written response should be expected.

Handoff questions

Tell the reviewer which files are original, translated, compressed, or exported, and note missing series, unreadable media, or viewer dependencies. A coordination checklist cannot confirm acceptance, eligibility, price, insurance, visa permission, border clearance, or any medical outcome. Write the answer owner and next review date beside every open item, so an unanswered request does not look like a completed decision.

Before sending, compare the request with your index and remove files that were not requested or authorised. Tell the reviewer which files are original, translated, compressed, or exported, and note missing series, unreadable media, or viewer dependencies. Ask which official team owns the answer, what format is accepted, and when a written response should be expected.

Review before acting

Before travel or formal submission, compare the final index with the requested scope and ask whether a new report or different export is required. A coordination checklist cannot confirm acceptance, eligibility, price, insurance, visa permission, border clearance, or any medical outcome. Write the answer owner and next review date beside every open item, so an unanswered request does not look like a completed decision.

Before sending, compare the request with your index and remove files that were not requested or authorised. Before travel or formal submission, compare the final index with the requested scope and ask whether a new report or different export is required. Ask which official team owns the answer, what format is accepted, and when a written response should be expected.

Sources checked

Review status

Editorially reviewed for process only; not reviewed by a physician.

  1. DICOM PS3.10: Media Storage and File Format for Media InterchangeDICOM Standards Committee / NEMA · 2026-08-31
  2. DICOM PS3.18: Web Services (DICOMweb)DICOM Standards Committee / NEMA · 2026-08-31
  3. Individuals’ Right under HIPAA to Access their Health InformationU.S. Department of Health and Human Services · 2026-08-31

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