[The filmless hospital--a legal challenge].
OBJECTIVE
This article concerns the legal aspects of digital archiving of radiological images, in particular with regard to the resolution passed by the 37th Committee meeting of the Federal Board of "RöV" (x-ray ordinance). Concepts of filmless hospitals must therefore be tested for compliance with all present legal requirements.


METHODS
The literature concerning the legal aspects of digital medical archiving of x-ray documents is reviewed. The concept of a digital archive was compared with these aspects and tested for compliance with the respective legal rules.


RESULTS
There are no legal obstacles to realizing our concept of a filmless hospital. However, there are no civil court rulings on record, since there have not been any legal proceedings to date.


CONCLUSIONS
There are no legal objections to a complete digital archiving in a hospital in the absence of any court rulings to the contrary.
Pistitsch
C
C
Institut für Radiologische Diagnostik der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München.
Nissen-Meyer
S
S
Adelhard
K
K
Ulsenheimer
K
K
Helmberger
T
T
Heinemann
N
N
Reiser
M
M
D003219:Confidentiality / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D004282:Documentation; D005858:Germany; D006761:Hospitals / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007882:Legislation, Hospital; D008499:Medical Records / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D011859:Radiography; D012637:Security Measures / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence