Clearinghouse: a teleradiology platform emphasizing security of data and communication.

The Clearinghouse application platform is a web based solution for secure digital exchange of radiological images and other clinical documents among authorized researchers and physicians. It implements a sophisticated security and role model to protect privacy and to minimize the risk of eavesdropping of patient data. The Clearinghouse serves as a centralized platform for distributed, distantly located medical research and health care. It is based on Open-Source software, thus ensuring continued support, maintenance, security and last but not least continuity of the platform. The use of the Clearinghouse minimizes turnaround times by superseding comparably slow and insecure conventional communication methods otherwise used for the exchange of radiological images and clinical documents, such as standard mail and courier services. Furthermore, it alleviates the integration of distantly located expert knowledge into diagnostic routines, culminating in an increased health care quality regardless of location of patients or physicians.