Epic's New Image Exchange Solution Tackles Healthcare's CD Problem

Despite the rapid digital transformation in healthcare, millions of patients continue to carry CT scans, MRIs, and X-rays from one provider to another on compact discs (CDs). This archaic practice not only inconveniences patients but also poses risks of lost or damaged images, delayed diagnoses, and unnecessary repeat imaging. To address this issue, Epic Systems has unveiled a new diagnostic image exchange solution that promises to revolutionize how medical images are shared.

Epic’s latest tool, now available across its community, enables healthcare providers at Epic-connected health systems to retrieve and share high-quality diagnostic images with just one click. This capability is part of the company's broader Care Everywhere platform, which has been facilitating the secure exchange of 30 million patient charts daily since 2008.

Streamlining Image Exchange for Better Patient Care

Medical images are often large files that are stored in specialized archiving systems outside of electronic health records (EHRs). This separation has long been a barrier to seamless data sharing within the healthcare industry. Epic’s new diagnostic image exchange solution leverages open image exchange standards and its existing interoperability pipelines to bridge this gap.

According to Matt Doyle, Epic’s director of interoperability, the goal is to ensure that past imaging studies are readily available when patients visit for specialist consultations, second opinions, or follow-up care. "When a patient comes in for a visit-whether it's for a specialist consult, a second opinion, or follow-up on a cancer diagnosis-we need to make sure that the imaging studies done in the past are available to the provider," Doyle explained.

The tool allows providers to access and retrieve images in real-time, enhancing their ability to prepare for visits and use these critical pieces of information during patient interactions. "This is using the same workflows we've created before, where providers can choose what they need to see and retrieve it in real-time as part of their care with the patient," Doyle added.

What Comes Next

The introduction of this new image exchange solution marks a significant step forward in healthcare interoperability. By reducing the need for manual image transfers, Epic’s tool helps prevent duplicate imaging, which can save patients from unnecessary radiation exposure and reduce healthcare costs. Clinicians can access prior scans more quickly, leading to faster diagnosis and treatment.

Epic shared the news with Fierce Healthcare ahead of its 2026 User Group Meeting, set to take place next week at its headquarters in Verona, Wisconsin. The company’s commitment to improving interoperability and patient care through technology is evident in this latest release. As healthcare continues to evolve, solutions like these will play a crucial role in ensuring that patients receive the best possible care, free from the burdens of outdated practices.