Systems and methods for independent assessment of image data

Abstract

Systems and methods for managing at least one medical image that includes image data and metadata. One method includes generating, at a processor, a number of copies of the at least one medical image, wherein the number of copies is equal to a number of independent reviewers associated with the at least one medical image. Each of the copies includes the image data and the metadata. The method also includes modifying the metadata of each of the copies to include a unique identifier, and storing the copies to at least one image storage device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for managing at least one medical image, the at least one medical image including image data and metadata, the method comprising:
 generating, at a processor, a number of copies of the at least one medical image, the number of copies equal to a number of independent reviewers associated with the at least one medical image, each of the copies including the image data and the metadata;   modifying the metadata of each of the copies to include a unique identifier; and   storing the copies to at least one image storage device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein modifying the metadata of each of the copies includes modifying at least one field included in the metadata of each copy to include a value different from a value of the field in the other copies. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein modifying the at least one field includes modifying a study universal identification field. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein modifying the at least one field includes modifying at least one of patient identification field, a medical record number field, and an accession number field. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising assigning the unique identifier of each of the copies to a different reviewer, each unique identifier allowing the reviewer to access and review one of the copies independently of the remaining copies. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising accessing an image assessment associated with each of the copies and comparing the image assessments to determine when additional image assessments are needed. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein generating the copies includes instructing a second processor to generate the copies. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein modifying the metadata of each of the copies includes generating the unique identifier for each of the copies and instructing a second processor to modify the metadata of each of the copies based on the generated unique identifiers. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein storing the copies includes instructing a second processor to store the copies to at least one image storage device.