About the DIR
A diagnostic imaging repository (DIR) allows for the secure collection and storage of diagnostic imaging and reports. This provides instant access to a patient’s DI longitudinal record for clinicians of connected hospitals and independent health facilities across the province of Ontario.
Hospitals and independent health facilities upload copies of DI exams to their respective regional DIR (which currently leverages technology either from GE HealthCare or Agfa). When a patient requires medical services, an authorized health service provider may access those DI exams through DIR applications that provide a consolidated single patient jacket across multiple radiology information system (RIS) or picture archiving and communication system (PACS) environments.
With fast, reliable, secure and centralized access to diagnostic images and reports, these applications connect and enable clinicians to a single point of access in order to assist in the diagnosis and treatment based on a patient’s health history.
DIR Quick Links
DIR Data Flow
Archive
240+ hospitals and IHFs are sharing imaging exams through the DIRs
Store
144M+ shareable imaging exams are stored in the DIRs
View
The DIRs support 3000+ active daily users
DIR Clinical Impact
“Access to imaging done at other centres is crucial for optimal care of patients at Sunnybrook. Whether acutely ill or injured or coming to us in outpatient settings, and whether for more distant past or remote, or very recent and even same-day imaging, physicians at Sunnybrook rely on access to imaging from HDIRS. Access to imaging from the DIR not only prevents unnecessary and potential harmful repeat imaging, it also assists to inform which further type of imaging to perform and which exact protocol to use. Images not being available, or only available with long delays, can induce stress, possible harm, and increased cost for healthcare.”
Dr. Ferco Berger
Head of Emergency and Trauma Radiology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
