Dose Index Registry participating facilities will broadly transition to DIR Link, an enhanced data transmission interface beginning in 2023, and retire the use of the TRIAD Site Server. This is part of a larger ACR initiative to introduce the next generation of TRIAD called ACR Connect – a server-based platform that will support interfaces to the National Radiology Data Registry (NRDR), ACR Accreditation, and ACR clinical research initiatives.
What do you need to do?
Get started by designating someone at your facility who is familiar with DIR data transmission to complete the DIR Link Installation Questionnaire about your facility’s technical environment and preference for a DIR Link installation month. Following is information about DIR Link to share with your team.
All CT scanners and fluoroscopy systems must be configured to send Radiation Dose Structured Reports (RDSR). DIR Link does not support data submission for secondary capture images. If your scanners do not send RDSRs, or you don’t know, please reach out to your scanner manufacturer to confirm or update the device.
Background
Based on increased demand for expanded data ingestion and local processing services, the ACR developed ACR Connect to enable more efficient and secure data flow and management across various software systems and applications. Each organization may choose to use the same ACR Connect installation for data processing and ingestion to multiple ACR programs, e.g., NRDR and ACR Accreditation, or install different instances. Once installed, access to the DIR Link app will be made through the local site network using Web-based access.
Specific Benefits of DIR Link and ACR Connect
Enhanced automation: DIR Link can be configured to auto-update as new features are released to DIR participating facilities to ensure they are up to date with the latest enhancements and technology. Participants will no longer need to uninstall the current software version and re-install updated software versions. Using the ACR Connect infrastructure, you can utilize industry-standard information access and retrieval technologies including DICOM, DICOM Web, and FHIR.
Enhanced security: Leveraging ACR Connect, the DIR Link app is compliant with FDA Title CFR 21 Part 11 regulations which ensure conformity to industry-leading security and documentation standards for software development, testing, deployment, and distribution. Since data will be processed and extracted locally and automatically, only the necessary data elements for participation in the registry are sent to NRDR. Prior to submitting data to NRDR, participants can verify the anonymization results locally. All data on the ACR Connect database is encrypted. Database and other tools are updated automatically as new versions become available keeping the ACR Connect platform and DIR Link app up to date for any potential security vulnerabilities that may be introduced over time.
Improved facility data analysis: DIR Link will enable local data crosswalks so that DIR participants can trace DIR report performance results back to their local systems and populations for improved quality and safety practices.
Future opportunities: DIR Link enables the relation of patient data across health systems’, software applications, and non-NRDR registries. It also will facilitate the addition of new data elements to the DIR registry without increasing the burden on the site, e.g., pulling the indication for the exam from the EHR automatically.
Technical Requirements for Transition Process
Visit the ACR Connect Knowledge Base to gain insight into the installation prerequisites and learn more about starting with DIR Link.