Medical imaging data reconciliation, part 1: innovation opportunity.

The concept of data reconciliation has been well described in the industrial and pharmaceutical literature and is designed to ensure the integrity, reliability, and accuracy of sequential data in a multistep process. This concept can similarly be applied to the delivery of medical imaging services, which begins with order entry and ends with reporting and communication. The ultimate goal of medical imaging data reconciliation is to ensure continuity of care, extending across multiple service providers and imaging and information system technologies. The longitudinal analysis of standardized data across the imaging continuum presents an opportunity to improve communication between service providers, education and training, workflow, and clinical outcomes. In addition, the derived data can in turn be used to create data-driven best-practice guidelines and computerized decision support tools.