What Is DICOM Imaging and Why It Matters in Healthcare

If you’ve ever handled medical images in a clinic — X-rays, MRIs, or ultrasounds — chances are you’ve interacted with DICOM imaging, whether you realized it or not. DICOM is the invisible glue behind how medical images are captured, shared, and stored across systems.

But here’s the thing: many therapy practices aren’t fully aware of how DICOM can impact their workflows, even beyond radiology. Whether you’re managing speech therapy or running a multidisciplinary clinic, understanding DICOM can unlock smoother operations and better data integration. Let’s break it down together.

What is DICOM imaging?

DICOM stands for Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine. It’s the standard that allows medical imaging devices and software to talk to each other — think of it as the universal language for medical images.

It defines both the format for image files and the protocol for communication, ensuring that an MRI scan taken in one system can be viewed and stored in another — no matter the vendor or software.

Why DICOM matters in modern healthcare

• Interoperability: It ensures imaging data flows smoothly between devices and systems, avoiding costly manual transfers.
• Data integrity: Every image carries metadata (patient info, timestamps, settings) that minimizes mix-ups.
• Compliance: DICOM supports HIPAA-compliant storage and transmission, which is a must in the U.S. healthcare space.
• Efficiency: When integrated with systems like EHR or PACS, DICOM reduces administrative overhead tied to image handling.

How DICOM imaging works

Let’s simplify it. Here's how DICOM fits into a typical workflow:

1. Capture: A device (like an X-ray machine) takes the image and creates a DICOM file.
2. Tag: Metadata like patient ID, exam type, and date is embedded into the file.
3. Send: The file is transmitted to a PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System).
4. Access: Clinicians use a DICOM viewer to access and interpret the image on any authorized system.
5. Archive: Images are stored long-term, often in cloud-based PACS or hospital servers.

Practical examples in clinical settings

• ABA therapy clinics working with neurologists may receive brain scans in DICOM format to align behavioral assessments with imaging results.
• Speech therapy practices sometimes coordinate with ENT specialists or radiologists when structural issues (like vocal cord abnormalities) are suspected.
• Multidisciplinary clinics can integrate DICOM workflows into their EHR to centralize patient data, from scans to progress notes.

Frequently asked questions

1. What does DICOM stand for?

DICOM means Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine, a standard for handling, storing, and transmitting medical images.

2. Is DICOM only used in radiology?

Nope. While it began in radiology, DICOM is now used in cardiology, oncology, neurology, and even some therapy clinics that coordinate with imaging providers.

3. How is DICOM different from HL7?

Great question. DICOM focuses on images, while HL7 is about clinical and administrative data (like lab results or billing). They often work together in healthcare systems.

4. Can I open DICOM files on any computer?

You’ll need a DICOM viewer, which can be free or paid. Examples include RadiAnt and OsiriX.

5. Why should small clinics care about DICOM?

Because it supports data interoperability, enhances collaboration with specialists, and enables secure, standardized storage of imaging — all of which streamline care.

Final thoughts

DICOM might sound like a back-end tech term, but it plays a very real role in modern patient care — even in smaller, specialized clinics. Whether you're running an ABA program or coordinating across therapy disciplines, understanding and integrating DICOM can simplify workflows, reduce admin friction, and help your practice stay future-ready.

Curious how DICOM could fit into your clinic’s automation stack? Start exploring DICOM-compatible tools or ask your EHR provider how they handle imaging data.