It was IHE that came to the rescue. No translation software will be required, and as the protocols change, IHE guarantees that machines will remain compatible. Using a common framework, IHE employs existing protocols to connect radiology imaging devices with other information systems in the hospital. It is supported by all the key industry players, including equipment manufacturers, standards groups, academic institutions, and CIOs. The technical documents simply spell out how the protocols should communicate and how to map data fields from one system to the other.
Vendors implement the standards on their own, as part of the software shipped with their devices.
As IHE evolves, vendors are committed to supply upgrades. IHE will work out problems and discrepancies directly with the various standards groups involved. There are also many other benefits to a fully integrated information system, including speed, reduced staff for moving information, fewer errors, and increased security. IHE development so far has focused on setting technical standards for vertical integration, connecting machines within radiology, including each radiology imaging device and the text-based scheduling and reporting systems. Later, the IHE framework will support horizontal integration, allowing diagnostic images to be shared with systems outside radiology.