TeleDiag revolutionizing telemedicine in France

Every day in France, thousands of diagnostic images – X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans – are reviewed by remote radiologists, looking for some slight anomaly. And with the help of AI, sophisticated networks, and high-powered data management systems, this life-saving work is getting easier, faster, and better. Meet TeleDiag, a pioneer in telemedicine that has transformed the landscape of radiological services in France.

TeleDiag is a leading telemedicine company specializing in teleradiology. Founded over 15 years ago, TeleDiag has grown to include a network of about 800 radiologists who provide remote diagnostic services to hospitals and clinics across France. The company’s innovative approach delivers timely and accurate radiological interpretations, significantly improving patient care.

Following COVID and a subsequent cyberattack, TeleDiag recognized the need to bolster its operations, enhance data security, and improve performance. In addition, as TeleDiag expanded its services, it confronted several challenges:

• Radiologist Shortage: France faces a shortage of radiologists, making it difficult to meet the growing demand for radiological services. 
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring compliance with stringent healthcare regulations and data protection standards was paramount. 
• Efficiency and Accuracy: There was a need to improve the speed and accuracy of radiological results to better serve emergency services and reduce diagnostic errors. 

But the company felt confident that it could overcome the challenges and provide the best service to its customers. “NetApp’s solutions have been critical in ensuring we can provide secure and efficient services,” said Paul Cayot, Head of Sales at TeleDiag.

To address these challenges, TeleDiag uses NetApp’s advanced data management and storage solutions. NetApp's technology provides several key benefits:

• Cyber Resilience and Data Infrastructure Modernization: NetApp’s robust security features help protect sensitive patient data, ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations and mitigating the risk of future cyber-attacks. TeleDiag opted for maximum resilience between data centers with NetApp AFF arrays providing data replication using SnapMirror^® across three data centers.
• Scalable Storage Solutions: NetApp’s scalable storage solutions allow TeleDiag to manage and store vast amounts of radiological data efficiently. The initial deployment of AFF A220 models was expanded with AFF A250 racks and recently replaced with AFF C800s, connected via 25 Gbit/s links. This setup supports peak activity and offers easy scalability.
• Improved Efficiency and Data Management: NetApp’s integration capabilities streamline TeleDiag’s workflow, enabling faster and more accurate data processing and reporting. TeleDiag processes around 2,000 examinations per day, with data retention policies requiring storage of X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs for 90 days, resulting in approximately 50 TB of rolling data.
• AI Integration: The NetApp partnership facilitates the integration and fast access of AI tools, enhancing the diagnostic capabilities of radiologists by providing advanced image analysis and reporting features. With its partners, TeleDiag can use AI tools like Lunit^® INSIGHT CXR to process and analyze chest X-rays, improving interpretive safety with an accuracy of 98% (AUROC score). This tool is CE-marked and approved by the WHO for tuberculosis screening.

“Our business is mapped on the flow between our customers with an exchange of DICOM images,” said Cedric Cendre, IT Director at TeleDiag. “NetApp’s integration capabilities have been pivotal in ensuring seamless operations.”

TeleDiag wants to further expand its capabilities and geographical reach. The company is exploring opportunities to extend its platform to other areas of medicine, such as dermatology and cardiology, leveraging its robust infrastructure and AI capabilities. In addition, TeleDiag plans to continue its expansion into new markets, providing its innovative telemedicine solutions to more regions globally. 

Conclusion

TeleDiag’s journey highlights the transformative power of technology in healthcare. By partnering with NetApp, TeleDiag has not only overcome significant challenges but also set new standards in telemedicine and radiology. As they continue to innovate and expand, TeleDiag is poised to further revolutionize healthcare delivery, making high-quality radiological services accessible to more people around the world.