Methods, systems, and devices for managing medical images and records

• US 8,065,166 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2008
• Issued: 11/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: OneMedNet Corp.
• Original Assignee: OneMedNet Corp.
• Inventors: Yu, Jeffrey N., Maresh, Guy
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Connor; Gerald J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TRANG T
• Application Number:
  US12/210,025
• Publication Number:
  US 20090112882A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,166 Days
• Field of Search: 705/2, 705/3
• US Class Current: 705/3
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/018 Certifying business or products
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 15/00 ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

The disclosure herein provides methods, systems, and devices for managing, transferring, modifying, converting and/or tracking medical files and/or medical system messages. In certain embodiments, the foregoing may generally be based on requesting medical files at a first medical facility, identifying the requested medical files at a second medical facility, initiating a secure network connection between the first and second medical facility, modifying a header portion of the medical files based on patient identification information created by the first medical facility, and other processing steps.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of electronically transferring medical files from a source medical facility to a destination medical facility, the method comprising:

receiving by a remote server at the source medical facility an electronic communication to transfer at least one medical file associated with a patient of the source medical facility from the source medical facility to the destination medical facility, wherein the electronic communication comprises at least patient information, a second patient identification, and a first encryption key for establishing a secure network connection, wherein the electronic communication is received from a main server system configured to receive from the destination medical facility a request for the at least one medical file;

locating by the remote server the at least one medical file on a medical data electronic storage repository stored at or accessible by the source medical facility by accessing the medical data electronic storage repository;

obtaining by the remote server authorization from a user to transfer the at least one medical file stored on the medical data electronic storage repository,

retrieving by the remote server the at least one medical file stored on the medical data electronic storage repository,

accessing by the remote server at the source medical facility a secure network connection between the source medical facility and the destination medical facility using paired encryption keys comprising at least the first encryption key;

modifying by the remote server a header portion of the at least one medical file to remove a first patient identification and replace the first patient identification with the second patient identification, wherein the first patient identification is assigned by the source medical facility and the second patient identification is assigned by the destination medical facility, wherein the source medical facility uses the first patient identification for identifying the patient, and the destination medical facility uses the second patient identification for identifying the patient;

sending by the remote server at the source medical facility the at least one medical file over the secure network connection to the destination medical facility; and

terminating by the remote server at the source medical facility the secure network connection after said transferring;

wherein the remote server comprises at least a computer processor and an electronic storage device.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising replacing by the remote server in the header portion a first accession number existing in the header portion with a second accession number assigned by the destination medical facility.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, further comprising creating by the remote server an audit trail for tracking the transfer of the at least one medical file from the source medical facility to the destination medical facility, wherein the creating the audit trail comprises inserting by the remote server the first patient identification and the first accession number into a private tag in the header portion.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, further comprising creating by the remote server an audit trail for tracking the transfer of the at least one medical file from the source medical facility to the destination medical facility;

wherein the creating the audit trail comprises generating an image file with audit trail data, wherein the audit trail data comprises at least the first patient identification and the first accession number.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, further comprising generating by the remote server audit trail data for tracking the transfer of the at least one medical file from the source medical facility to the destination medical facility;

wherein the generating of the audit trail data comprises instructing by the remote server a radiology information system to store audit trail data using an observation/results message or equivalent message, wherein the audit trail data comprises at least the first patient identification and the first accession number.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the remote server is located at a remote location accessible by the source medical facility.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the remote server comprises one or more computing devices.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising generating by the remote server an electronic report after the sending.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the main server is configured to receive from a portable computing device an electronic message for initiating transfer of the at least one medical file.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein the portable computing device is configured to be operated by a medical professional associated with the destination medical facility.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein the portable computing device is configured to be operated by the patient.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the medical data electronic storage repository comprises one or more databases.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the electronic storage repository comprises at least one of an image server, a picture archiving and communication system, a hospital information system, and a radiology information system.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the medical data electronic storage repository is a radiology information system, and wherein the retrieving comprises sending by the remote server to the radiology information system an observation/results message or equivalent message or system communication for instructing the radiology information system to send the at least one medical file from the radiology information system to the remote server.

15. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the accessing by the remote server at the source medical facility of the secure network connection further comprises dynamically establishing by the remote server an on demand network connection between the source medical facility and the destination medical facility.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising generating by the remote server an invoice based on the sending of the at least one medical file, and storing by the remote server the invoice in a hospital information system accessible by the source medical facility.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the main server is configured to receive an executed release form from the patient to authorize the transfer of the at least one medical file from the source medical facility to the destination medical facility.

18. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising receiving by the remote server an executed release form from the patient to authorize the transfer of the at least one medical file from the source medical facility to the destination medical facility.

19. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the modifying further comprises replacing in the header portion of the at least one medical file a code or name of a medical procedure associated with the at least one medical file with a standardized intermediary code mapped from a standardized mapping table.

20. The computer-implemented method of claim 19, wherein the standardized mapping table is stored in the remote server.

21. The computer-implemented method of claim 19, wherein the standardized mapping table is accessible in the main server system.

22. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the modifying further comprises converting the at least one medical file from a first file format to a second file format, wherein the first file format is compatible with the source medical facility and the second file format is compatible with the destination medical facility.

23. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the at least one medical file comprises an image file.

24. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the at least one medical file comprises a records file.

25. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the at least one medical file comprises an unsigned or signed reports file.

26. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the at least one medical file comprises a medical messaging or communication.

27. The computer-implemented method of claim 26, wherein the medical messaging or communication is a health level seven compliant message.

28. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the modifying further comprises inserting into the header portion or a data portion of the at least one medical file medical history information corresponding to the patient, wherein the medical history information is generated or stored by the source medical facility.

29. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first encryption key is valid for a period of time.

30. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first encryption key is recycled after a period of time.

31. A computer-implemented method of electronically transferring medical files from a source medical facility to a destination medical facility, the method comprising:

receiving by a first computer system an electronic communication to receive at least one medical file from the source medical facility, wherein the first computer system is at the destination medical facility or is accessible by the destination medical facility, the at least one medical file is associated with a patient of the source medical facility, wherein the electronic communication comprises at least patient information, and a first encryption key for establishing a secure network connection;

accessing by the first computer system a secure network connection between the first computer system at or accessible by the destination medical facility and a second computer system at or accessible by the source medical facility using paired encryption keys comprising at least the first encryption key;

receiving by the first computer system the at least one medical file from the second computer system at or accessible by the source medical facility over the secure network connection;

terminating by the first computer system the secure network connection after said receiving;

obtaining by the first computer system authorization from a user to store the at least one medical file on a medical data electronic storage repository at or accessible by the destination medical facility;

modifying by the first computer system a header portion of the at least one medical file to replace the first patient identification with a second patient identification, wherein the first patient identification is assigned by the source medical facility and the second patient identification is assigned by the destination medical facility, wherein the source medical facility uses the first patient identification for identifying the patient, and the destination medical facility uses the second patient identification for identifying the patient and

storing by the first computer system the at least one medical file on the medical data electronic storage repository,

wherein the first computer system comprises at least a computer processor and an electronic storage device.

32. The computer-implemented method of claim 31, further comprising:

generating by the first computer system an order message or equivalent message to instruct a radiology information system, hospital information system, picture archiving and communication system, image server, or other medical system to create a first accession number to be associated with the at least one medical file; and

receiving by the first computer system from the radiology information system, hospital information system, picture archiving and communication system, image server, or other medical system the first accession number;

replacing by the first computer system a second accession number in a header portion of the at least one medical file with the first accession number; and

storing by the first computer system the at least one medical file in the medical data electronic storage repository.

33. The computer-implemented method of claim 31, wherein the electronic communication is sent by a main server, wherein the main server is configured to receive from a portable computing device an electronic message for initiating transfer of the at least one medical file.

34. The computer-implemented method of claim 33, wherein the portable computing device is configured to be operated by a medical professional associated with the destination medical facility.

35. The computer-implemented method of claim 33, wherein the portable computing device is configured to be operated by the patient.

36. The computer-implemented method of claim 31, wherein the first computer system comprises one or more computing devices.

37. The computer-implemented method of claim 31, further comprising generating by the first computer system an electronic report after the sending.

38. The computer-implemented method of claim 31, wherein the medical data electronic storage repository comprises one or more databases.

39. The computer-implemented method of claim 31, further comprising creating by the first computer system an audit trail for tracking the transfer of the at least one medical file from the source medical facility to the destination medical facility;

wherein the creating the audit trail comprises generating an image file with audit trail data, wherein the audit trail data comprises at least the first patient identification and a first accession number.

40. The computer-implemented method of claim 31, further comprising generating by the first computer system audit trail data for tracking the transfer of the at least one medical file from the source medical facility to the destination medical facility;

wherein the generating of the audit trail data comprises instructing by the first computer system a radiology information system to store audit trail data in a radiology information system using an observation/results message or equivalent message, wherein the audit trail data comprises at least the first patient identification and a first accession number.

41. The computer-implemented method of claim 31, wherein the medical data electronic storage repository is at least one of an image server, a picture archiving and communication system, a hospital information system, and a radiology information system.

42. The computer-implemented method of claim 31, wherein the storing further comprises sending by the first computer system to a radiology information system an observation/results message or equivalent message or system communication for instructing the radiology information system to generate an accession number to be associated with the at least one medical file.

43. The computer-implemented method of claim 31, wherein the medical data electronic storage repository is a radiology information system, and wherein the storing comprises sending by the first computer system to the radiology information system an observation/results message or equivalent message or system communication for instructing the radiology information system to store the at least one medical file in the radiology information system from the first computer system.

44. The computer-implemented method of claim 31, wherein the accessing by the first computer system of the secure network connection further comprises dynamically establishing by the first computer system an on demand network connection between the first computer system at or accessible by the source medical facility and the second computer system at or accessible by the destination medical facility.

45. The computer-implemented method of claim 31, further comprising generating by the first computer system an invoice based on the sending of the at least one medical file, and storing by the first computer system the invoice in a hospital information system accessible by the source medical facility.

46. The computer-implemented method of claim 31, wherein the electronic communication is sent by a main server, wherein the main server is configured to receive an executed release form from the patient to authorize the transfer of the at least one medical file from the source medical facility to the destination medical facility.

47. The computer-implemented method of claim 31, wherein the modifying further comprises replacing in the header portion of the at least one medical file a code or name of a medical procedure associated with the at least one medical file with a standardized intermediary code mapped from a standardized mapping table.

48. The computer-implemented method of claim 47, wherein the standardized mapping table is stored in the first computer system.

49. The computer-implemented method of claim 47, wherein the standardized mapping table is accessible in a main server system.

50. The computer-implemented method of claim 31, wherein the modifying further comprises converting the at least one medical file from a first file format to a second file format, wherein the first file format is compatible with the source medical facility and the second file format is compatible with the destination medical facility.

51. The computer-implemented method of claim 31, wherein the at least one medical file comprises an image file.

52. The computer-implemented method of claim 31, wherein the at least one medical file comprises a records file.

53. The computer-implemented method of claim 31, wherein the at least one medical file comprises an unsigned or signed reports file.

54. The computer-implemented method of claim 31, wherein the at least one medical file comprises a medical messaging or communication.

55. The computer-implemented method of claim 54, wherein the medical messaging or communication is a health level seven compliant message.

56. The computer-implemented method of claim 31, wherein the first encryption key is valid for a period of time.

57. The computer-implemented method of claim 31, wherein the first encryption key is recycled after a period of time.

58. The computer-implemented method of claim 31, wherein the medical data electronic storage repository is at least one of a radiology information system, a hospital information system, a picture archiving and communication system, and an image server.

59. The computer-implemented method of claim 31, further comprising:

analyzing by the first computer system a first file type of the at least one medical file;

determining by the first computer system whether the first file type is compatible with a radiology information system, hospital information system, picture archiving and communication system, and image server at the destination medical facility or accessible by the destination medical facility;

converting by the first computer system, based on said determining, the at least one medical file into a second file type that is compatible with the radiology information system, hospital information system, picture archiving and communication system, and image server at the destination medical facility or accessible by the destination medical facility; and

wherein the storing further comprises storing by the first computer system the converted at least one medical file in at least one of the radiology information system, hospital information system, picture archiving and communication system, and image server at the destination medical facility or accessible by the destination medical facility.

60. A computer-implemented method of electronically transferring medical files from a source medical facility to a destination medical facility, the method comprising:

receiving by a first computer system a first electronic communication from a second computer system accessible by the destination medical facility to transfer at least one medical file from the source medical facility to the destination medical facility, wherein the electronic communication comprises at least patient information;

sending by the first computer system a second electronic communication to a third computer system accessible by the source medical facility to instruct the third computer system to send the at least one medical file from the third computer system accessible by the source medical facility to the second computer system accessible by the destination medical facility, the second electronic communication comprising patient information and a first encryption key;

sending by the first computer system a third electronic communication to the second computer system accessible by the destination medical facility to instruct the second computer system to receive the at least one medical file from the third computer system accessible by the source medical facility, the third electronic communication comprising a second encryption key;

causing by the first computer system generation of a secure network connection between the second and third computer systems using the first and second encryption keys;

causing by the first computer system modifying a header portion of the at least one medical file to remove a first patient identification and replace the first patient identification with a second patient identification, wherein the first patient identification is assigned by the source medical facility and the second patient identification is assigned by the destination medical facility, wherein the source medical facility uses the first patient identification for identifying a patient, and the destination medical facility uses the second patient identification for identifying the patient;

causing by the first computer system transferring of the at least one medical file from the third computer system to the second computer system over the secure network connection;

causing by the first computer system terminating of the secure network connection after said transferring;

storing by the first computer system in a transaction history database a record of the transfer of the at least one medical file,

wherein the first computer system comprises at least a computer processor and an electronic storage device.

61. The computer-implemented method of claim 60, wherein the first computer system is configured to receive from a portable computing device an electronic message for initiating transfer of the at least one medical file.

62. The computer-implemented method of claim 61, wherein the portable computing device is configured to be operated by a medical professional associated with the destination medical facility.

63. The computer-implemented method of claim 61, wherein the portable computing device is configured to be operated by the patient.

64. The computer-implemented method of claim 60, wherein the first computer system comprises one or more computing devices.

65. The computer-implemented method of claim 60, further comprising generating by the first computer system an electronic report after the transferring.

66. The computer-implemented method of claim 60, further comprising receiving by the first computer system an executed release form from the patient to authorize the transfer of the at least one medical file from the source medical facility to the destination medical facility.

67. The computer-implemented method of claim 60, wherein the modifying further comprises replacing in the header portion of the at least one medical file a code or name of a medical procedure associated with the at least one medical file with a standardized intermediary code mapped from a standardized mapping table.

68. The computer-implemented method of claim 60, wherein the modifying further comprises converting the at least one medical file from a first file format to a second file format, wherein the first file format is compatible with the source medical facility and the second file format is compatible with the destination medical facility.

69. The computer-implemented method of claim 60, wherein the at least one medical file comprises an image file.

70. The computer-implemented method of claim 60, wherein the at least one medical file comprises a records file.

71. The computer-implemented method of claim 60, wherein the at least one medical file comprises an unsigned or signed reports file.

72. The computer-implemented method of claim 60, wherein the at least one medical file comprises a medical messaging or communication.

73. The computer-implemented method of claim 72, wherein the medical messaging or communication is a health level seven compliant message.

74. The computer-implemented method of claim 60, wherein the first encryption key is valid for a period of time.

75. The computer-implemented method of claim 60, wherein the first encryption key is recycled after a period of time.

76. A computer system for electronically transferring medical files from a source medical facility to a destination medical facility, the computer system comprising:

an electronic memory storage configured to store modules;

a computer processor configured to execute the modules comprising at least;

a request management module configured to process an electronic communication instructing the computer system to receive at least one medical file from a second computer system accessible by the source medical facility, wherein the electronic communication comprises at least patient information and a first encryption key;

a communications module for accessing a secure network connection between the computer system and the second computer system accessible by the source medical facility with the first encryption key and a second encryption key, the communications module for receiving the at least one medical file from the second computer system over the secure network connection;

a filter module configured to modify a header portion of the at least one medical file to remove a first patient identification and replace the first patient identification with a second patient identification, wherein the first patient identification is assigned by the source medical facility and the second patient identification is assigned by the destination medical facility, wherein the source medical facility uses the first patient identification for identifying a patient, and the destination medical facility uses the second patient identification for identifying the patient;

an authorization module configured to receive authorization from a user to store the at least one medical file on a medical data electronic storage repository accessible by the destination medical facility; and

a storage module configured to store based on the authorization the at least one medical file in the medical data electronic storage repository.

77. The computer system of claim 76, wherein the electronic communication is sent to the computer system by a main server, wherein the main server is configured to receive from a portable computing device an electronic message for transferring the at least one medical file.

78. The computer system of claim 77, wherein the portable computing device is operated by a medical professional associated with the destination medical facility.

79. The computer system of claim 77, wherein the portable computing device is operated by the patient.

80. The computer system of claim 76, wherein the medical data electronic storage repository comprises one or more databases.

81. The computer system of claim 76, wherein the computer system comprises one or more computing devices.

82. The computer system of claim 76, further comprising a report module configured to create an electronic report based on the storing.

83. The computer system of claim 76, wherein the filter module is further configured to create an audit trail for tracking the transfer of the at least one medical file from the source medical facility to the destination medical facility;

wherein the creating the audit trail comprises generating an image file with audit trail data, wherein the audit trail data comprises at least the first patient identification and the first accession number.

84. The computer system of claim 76, wherein the filter module is further configured to generate audit trail data for tracking the transfer of the at least one medical file from the source medical facility to the destination medical facility;

wherein the generating of the audit trail data comprises instructing by the computer system a radiology information system to store audit trail data using an observation/results message or equivalent message, wherein the audit trail data comprises at least the first patient identification and the first accession number.

85. The computer system of claim 76, wherein the medical data electronic storage repository is at least one of an image server, a picture archiving and communication system, a hospital information system, and a radiology information system.

86. The computer system of claim 76, wherein the storage module is further configured to send to a radiology information system an observation/results message or equivalent message or system communication for instructing the radiology information system to generate an accession number to be associated with the at least one medical file.

87. The computer system of claim 76, wherein the medical data electronic storage repository is a radiology information system, and wherein the storage module is further configured to send to the radiology information system an observation/results message or equivalent message or system communication for instructing the radiology information system to store the at least one medical file in the radiology information system from the computer system.

88. The computer system of claim 76, wherein the accessing of the secure network connection further comprises dynamically establishing by the computer system an on demand network connection between the source medical facility and the destination medical facility.

89. The computer system of claim 76, the modules further comprise an invoice module configured to generate an invoice based on the receiving of the at least one medical file.

90. The computer system of claim 76, wherein the modifying further comprises replacing in the header portion of the at least one medical file a code or name of a medical procedure associated with the at least one medical file with a standardized intermediary code mapped from a standardized mapping table.

91. The computer system of claim 90, wherein the standardized mapping table is stored in the computer system.

92. The computer system of claim 90, wherein the standardized mapping table is accessible in a main server system.

93. The computer system of claim 76, wherein the modifying further comprises converting the at least one medical file from a first file format to a second file format, wherein the first file format is compatible with the source medical facility and the second file format is compatible with the destination medical facility.

94. The computer system of claim 76, wherein the at least one medical file comprises an image file.

95. The computer system of claim 76, wherein the at least one medical file comprises a records file.

96. The computer system of claim 76, wherein the at least one medical file comprises an unsigned or signed reports file.

97. The computer system of claim 76, wherein the at least one medical file comprises a medical messaging or communication.

98. The computer system of claim 97, wherein the medical messaging or communication is a health level seven compliant message.

99. The computer system of claim 76, wherein the first encryption key is valid for a period of time.

100. The computer system of claim 76, wherein the first encryption key is recycled after a period of time.

101. The computer system of claim 76, wherein the medical data electronic storage repository is at least one of a radiology information system, a hospital information system, a picture archiving and communication system, and an image server.

102. A computer system for electronically transferring medical files from a source medical facility to a destination medical facility, the computer system comprising:

an electronic memory storage configured to store modules;

a computer processor configured to execute the modules comprising at least;

a request management module configured to process an electronic communication instructing the computer system to send at least one medical file to a second computer system accessible by destination medical facility, wherein the electronic communication comprises at least patient information and first encryption key;

an authorization module configured to receive authorization from a user to send the at least one medical file stored in a medical data electronic storage repository accessible by the source medical facility;

a file retrieval module configured to obtain based on the authorization the at least one medical file stored in the medical data electronic storage repository accessible by the source medical facility;

a filter module configured to modify a header portion of the at least one medical file to remove a first patient identification and replace the first patient identification with a second patient identification, wherein the first patient identification is assigned by the source medical facility and the second patient identification is assigned by the destination medical facility wherein the source medical facility uses the first patient identification for identifying a patient, and the destination medical facility uses the second patient identification for identifying the patient; and

a communications module for accessing a secure network connection between the computer system and the second computer system accessible by the destination medical facility with the first encryption key, the communications module for transferring the at least one medical file to the second computer system over the secure network connection.

103. The computer system of claim 102, wherein the filter module is further configured to create an audit trail for tracking the transfer of the at least one medical file from the source medical facility to the destination medical facility;

wherein the creating the audit trail comprises generating an image file with audit trail data, wherein the audit trail data comprises at least the first patient identification and the first accession number.

104. The computer system of claim 102, wherein the computer system comprises one or more computing devices.

105. The computer system of claim 102, further comprising a report module configured to create an electronic report based on the transferring.

106. The computer system of claim 102, wherein the filter module is further configured to create an audit trail for tracking the transfer of the at least one medical file from the source medical facility to the destination medical facility, wherein the creating the audit trail comprises inserting the first patient identification and an accession number into a tag in the header portion.

107. The computer system of claim 102, wherein the medical data electronic storage repository is at least one of an image server, a picture archiving and communication system, a hospital information system, and a radiology information system.

108. The computer system of claim 102, wherein the accessing of the secure network connection further comprises dynamically establishing by the computer system an on demand network connection between the source medical facility and the destination medical facility.

109. The computer system of claim 102, the modules further comprise an invoice module configured to generate an invoice based on the transferring of the at least one medical file.

110. The computer system of claim 102, wherein the modifying further comprises replacing in the header portion of the at least one medical file a code or name of a medical procedure associated with the at least one medical file with a standardized intermediary code mapped from a standardized mapping table.

111. The computer system of claim 110, wherein the standardized mapping table is stored in the computer system.

112. The computer system d of claim 110, wherein the standardized mapping table is accessible in a main server system.

113. The computer system of claim 102, wherein the modifying further comprises converting the at least one medical file from a first file format to a second file format, wherein the first file format is compatible with the source medical facility and the second file format is compatible with the destination medical facility.

114. The computer system of claim 102, wherein the at least one medical file comprises an image file.

115. The computer system of claim 102, wherein the at least one medical file comprises a records file.

116. The computer system of claim 102, wherein the at least one medical file comprises an unsigned or signed reports file.

117. The computer system of claim 102, wherein the at least one medical file comprises a medical messaging or communication.

118. The computer system of claim 117, wherein the medical messaging or communication is a health level seven compliant message.

119. The computer system of claim 102, wherein the first encryption key is valid for a period of time.

120. The computer system of claim 102, wherein the first encryption key is recycled after a period of time.

121. The computer system of claim 102, wherein the medical data electronic storage repository is at least one of a radiology information system, a hospital information system, a picture archiving and communication system, and an image server.

122. A computer-readable, non-transitory storage medium having a computer program stored thereon for causing a suitably programmed computer system to process by one or more computer processors computer-program code by performing the method when the computer program is executed on the suitably programmed computer system, the method comprising:

receiving by the suitably programmed computer system accessible by the source medical facility an electronic communication to transfer at least one medical file associated with a patient of the source medical facility from the source medical facility to the destination medical facility, wherein the electronic communication comprises at least patient information, a second patient identification, and a first encryption key for establishing a secure network connection;

locating by the suitably programmed computer system the at least one medical file on a medical data electronic storage repository accessible by the source medical facility by accessing the medical data electronic storage repository;

obtaining by the suitably programmed computer system authorization from a user to transfer the at least one medical file stored on the medical data electronic storage repository;

retrieving by the suitably programmed computer system the at least one medical file stored on the medical data electronic storage repository;

accessing by the suitably programmed computer system a secure network connection between the source medical facility and the destination medical facility using paired encryption keys comprising at least the first encryption key;

modifying by the suitably programmed computer system a header portion of the at least one medical file to remove a first patient identification and replace the first patient identification with the second patient identification, wherein the first patient identification is assigned by the source medical facility and the second patient identification is assigned by the destination medical facility, wherein the source medical facility uses the first patient identification for identifying the patient and the destination medical facility uses the second patient identification for identifying the patient;

sending by the suitably programmed computer system the at least one medical file over the secure network connection to the destination medical facility; and

terminating by the suitably programmed computer system the secure network connection after said transferring.

123. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 122, wherein the electronic communication is sent by a main server, wherein the main server is configured to receive from a portable computing device an electronic message for transferring the at least one medical file.

124. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 123, wherein the portable computing device is operated by a medical professional associated with the destination medical facility.

125. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 123, wherein the portable computing device is operated by the patient.

126. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 122, wherein the electronic storage repository is at least one of an image server, a picture archiving and communication system, a hospital information system, and a radiology information system.

127. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 122, wherein the accessing by the suitably programmed computer system of the secure network connection further comprises dynamically establishing by the computer system an on demand network connection between the source medical facility and the destination medical facility.

128. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 122, further comprising receiving by the suitably programmed computer system an executed release form from the patient to authorize the transfer of the at least one medical file from the source medical facility to the destination medical facility.

129. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 122, wherein the modifying further comprises replacing in the header portion of the at least one medical file a code or name of a medical procedure associated with the at least one medical file with a standardized intermediary code mapped from a standardized mapping table.

130. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 122, wherein the modifying further comprises converting the at least one medical file from a first file format to a second file format, wherein the first file format is compatible with the source medical facility and the second file format is compatible with the destination medical facility.

131. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 122, wherein the at least one medical file comprises an image file.

132. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 122, wherein the at least one medical file comprises a records file.

133. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 122, wherein the at least one medical file comprises an unsigned or signed reports file.

134. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 122, wherein the at least one medical file comprises a medical messaging or communication.

135. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 134, wherein the medical messaging or communication is a health level seven compliant message.

136. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 122, wherein the modifying further comprises inserting into the header portion or a data portion of the at least one medical file medical history information corresponding to the patient, wherein the medical history information is generated or stored by the source medical facility.

137. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 122, wherein the modifying further comprises creating by the suitably programmed computer system an audit trail for tracking the transfer of the at least one medical file from the source medical facility to the destination medical facility, the creating the audit trail comprises inserting by the suitably programmed computer system the first patient identification and an accession number into a tag in the header portion.

138. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 122, wherein the first encryption key is valid for a period of time.

139. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 122, wherein the first encryption key is recycled after a period of time.

140. A computer-readable, non-transitory storage medium having a computer program stored thereon for causing a suitably programmed computer system to process by one or more computer processors computer-program code by performing the method when the computer program is executed on the suitably programmed computer system, the method comprising:

receiving by the suitably programmed computer system an electronic communication to receive at least one medical file from the source medical facility, the first computer system is at the destination medical facility or is accessible by the destination medical facility, the at least one medical file is associated with a patient of the source medical facility, wherein the electronic communication comprises at least patient information, and a first encryption key for establishing a secure network connection;

accessing by the suitably programmed computer system a secure network connection between the first computer system at or accessible by the destination medical facility and a second computer system at or accessible by the source medical facility using paired encryption keys comprising at least the first encryption key;

receiving by the suitably programmed computer system the at least one medical file from the second computer system at or accessible by the source medical facility over the secure network connection;

terminating by the suitably programmed computer system the secure network connection after said receiving;

obtaining by the suitably programmed computer system authorization from a user to store the at least one medical file on a medical data electronic storage repository at or accessible by the destination medical facility;

modifying by the suitably programmed computer system a header portion of the at least one medical file to replace the first patient identification with a second patient identification, wherein the first patient identification is assigned by the source medical facility and the second patient identification is assigned by the destination medical facility, wherein the source medical facility uses the first patient identification for identifying the patient and the destination medical facility uses the second patient identification for identifying the patient; and

storing by the suitably programmed computer system the at least one medical file on the medical data electronic storage repository.

141. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 140, wherein the electronic communication is sent by a main server, wherein the main server is configured to receive from a portable computing device an electronic message for transferring the at least one medical file.

142. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 140, wherein the portable computing device is operated by a medical professional associated with the destination medical facility.

143. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 140, wherein the portable computing device is operated by the patient.

144. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 140, wherein the electronic storage repository is at least one of an image server, a picture archiving and communication system, a hospital information system, and a radiology information system.

145. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 140, wherein the accessing by the suitably programmed computer system of the secure network connection further comprises dynamically establishing by the suitably programmed computer system an on demand network connection between the source medical facility and the destination medical facility.

146. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 140, further comprising receiving by the suitably programmed computer system an executed release form from the patient to authorize the transfer of the at least one medical file from the source medical facility to the destination medical facility.

147. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 140, wherein the modifying further comprises replacing in the header portion of the at least one medical file a code or name of a medical procedure associated with the at least one medical file with a standardized intermediary code mapped from a standardized mapping table.

148. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 140, wherein the modifying further comprises converting the at least one medical file from a first file format to a second file format, wherein the first file format is compatible with the source medical facility and the second file format is compatible with the destination medical facility.

149. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 140, wherein the at least one medical file comprises an image file.

150. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 140, wherein the at least one medical file comprises a records file.

151. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 140, wherein the at least one medical file comprises an unsigned or signed reports file.

152. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 140, wherein the at least one medical file comprises a medical messaging or communication.

153. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 152, wherein the medical messaging or communication is a health level seven compliant message.

154. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 140, wherein the modifying further comprises inserting into the header portion or a data portion of the at least one medical file medical history information corresponding to the patient, wherein the medical history information is generated or stored by the source medical facility.

155. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 140, wherein the first encryption key is valid for a period of time.

156. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 140, wherein the first encryption key is recycled after a period of time.

157. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 140, wherein the storing further comprises sending by the suitably programmed computer system to a radiology information system an observation/results message or equivalent message or system communication for instructing the radiology information system to generate an accession number to be associated with the at least one medical file.

158. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 140, wherein the medical data electronic storage repository is a radiology information system, and wherein the storing comprises sending by the suitably programmed computer system to the radiology information system an observation/results message or equivalent message or system communication for instructing the radiology information system to store the at least one medical file in the radiology information system from the first computer system.

159. A computer-readable, non-transitory storage medium having a computer program stored thereon for causing a suitably programmed computer system to process by one or more computer processors computer-program code by performing the method when the computer program is executed on the suitably programmed computer system, the method comprising:

receiving by the suitably programmed computer system a first electronic communication from a second computer system accessible by the destination medical facility to transfer at least one medical file from a source medical facility to the destination medical facility, wherein the electronic communication comprises at least patient information;

sending by the suitably programmed computer system a second electronic communication to a third computer system accessible by the source medical facility to instruct third computer system to send the at least one medical file from the third computer system accessible by the source medical facility to the second computer system accessible by the destination medical facility, the second electronic communication comprising patient information and a first encryption key;

sending by the suitably programmed computer system a third electronic communication to the second computer system accessible by the destination medical facility to instruct the second computer system to receive the at least one medical file from the third computer system accessible by the source medical facility, the third electronic communication comprising a second encryption key;

causing by the suitably programmed computer system generation of a secure network connection between the second and third computer systems using the first and second encryption keys;

causing by the suitably programmed computer system modifying a header portion of the at least one medical file to remove a first patient identification and replace the first patient identification with a second patient identification, wherein the first patient identification is assigned by the source medical facility and the second patient identification is assigned by the destination medical facility, wherein the source medical facility uses the first patient identification for identifying the patient and the destination medical facility uses the second patient identification for identifying the patient;

causing by the suitably programmed computer system transferring of the at least one medical file from the third computer system to the second computer system over the secure network connection;

causing by the suitably programmed computer system terminating of the secure network connection after said transferring;

storing by the suitably programmed computer system in a transaction history database a record of the transfer of the at least one medical file.

160. A first computer system for electronically transferring medical files from a source medical facility to a destination medical facility, the first computer system comprising:

an electronic memory storage configured to store modules;

a computer processor configured to execute the modules comprising at least;

a request processing management module configured to process by the first computer system a first electronic communication from a second computer system accessible by the destination medical facility to transfer at least one medical file from the source medical facility to the destination medical facility, wherein the electronic communication comprises at least patient information;

a communications module configured to send by the first computer system a second electronic communication to a third computer system accessible by the source medical facility to instruct the third computer system to send the at least one medical file from the third computer system accessible by the source medical facility to the second computer system accessible by the destination medical facility, the second electronic communication comprising patient information and a first encryption key;

the communications module configured to send by the first computer system a third electronic communication to the second computer system accessible by the destination medical facility to instruct the second computer system to receive the at least one medical file from the third computer system accessible by the source medical facility, the third electronic communication comprising a second encryption key;

the request processing management module configured to cause generation of a secure network connection between the second and third computer systems using the first and second encryption keys;

the request processing management module configured to cause modifying a header portion of the at least one medical file to remove a first patient identification and replace the first patient identification with a second patient identification, wherein the first patient identification is assigned by the source medical facility and the second patient identification is assigned by the destination medical facility, wherein the source medical facility uses the first patient identification for identifying a patient and the destination medical facility uses the second patient identification for identifying the patient;

the request processing management module configured to cause transferring of the at least one medical file from the third computer system to the second computer system over the secure network connection;

the request processing management module configured to cause terminating of the secure network connection after said transferring;

a transaction tracking module configured to store by the first computer system in a transaction history database a record of the transfer of the at least one medical file.

161. The first computer system of claim 160, wherein the first computer system comprises one or more computing devices.