By Doreen Witt
10. June 2025

DLX standard simplifies digital image data exchange - Telepaxx supports the new format

Simple data import at the touch of a button: The DLX format is the new DIN standard (DIN/TS 19455) for the digital exchange of medical image data in the healthcare sector. Find out what challenges this new standard solves and how it simplifies data exchange.

In addition, Tobias Anger - Telepaxx Managing Director and member of the DIN working group on the new DLX standard - will provide an update on the current status of implementation.

DLX is based on the DICOM standard

DLX stands for DICOM Link Exchange and enables the interdisciplinary, digital data exchange of medical image data. The secure transfer of medical data without a data carrier takes place via QR code or web link.

The aim of introducing the DLX format is to standardize the exchange of DICOM data (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) in order to prevent future errors during import and export, reduce data protection risks through secure transmission paths and data quality problems, so that treatment delays are avoided and medical processes become more efficient.

Clear regulations also facilitate the switch to digital transmission and can thus finally replace the physical data carriers previously used, such as patient CDs or USB sticks.

The advantages of the DLX standard at a glance

Until now, there has been a lack of uniform standardization for the digital exchange of patient data. The DLX format solves the previous problem of high manual workloads when importing data downloads from QR codes, increases data protection when exchanging image data and improves interoperability.

All the benefits summarized for you here:

Digital image data exchange: DLX standardizes the download and import of DICOM image data via QR codes or web links.
Less effort: Further processing of the data by third parties is made easier. Thanks to standardized data transfer and automation, work processes are accelerated and data quality is increased.
Easy integration into existing clinical processes: The DLX standard for radiology enables the direct, automated integration of image data into clinical systems such as PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System).
Interdisciplinary digital communication: The DLX format supports cross-sector data exchange between different medical facilities and patients. Regardless of which portal or software you use.
Guaranteed data security: The DIN standard for QR codes clearly defines the requirements for the transmission, encryption and validity of access data as well as the data format.
Legally compliant data transmission: The standard takes into account the current legal situation and enables a legally compliant, secure and traceable exchange of patient data.

Three questions about the DLX standard to Tobias Anger

The development of the DLX standard began in 2023 with the initiative of the strong>German Radiological Society (DRG) and the Professional Association of German Radiologists (BDR) as part of the DIN working group for QR codes and digital availability of medical image data. Since the release of the DLX format at the beginning of 2025, providers of QR code solutions and patient portals as well as RIS/HIS and PACS manufacturers are now switching to the new standard.

Tobias Anger, Managing Director of Telepaxx Medical Data and member of the DIN working group on the DLX standard, provides insights into the introduction of the new standard and how DLX-normalized QR codes are currently being used on the market in a brief interview.

The choice is yours: watch the interview as a video or read Tobias Anger's answers below.

What challenges does the new DLX standard address?

Tobias Anger: The DLX standard arose due to the challenges posed by the replacement of the patient CD. Previously, data was often transferred on CDs. Nowadays, not many people have CD drives at home, which is why the QR code has become established relatively quickly in the healthcare sector in recent years. A digital web link or QR code is given to the patient so that they can view their data at home or pass it on to a specialist.

The problem was that these web links were not standardized and the user interfaces of the portals were very different. This meant that it was very difficult for users to find their way around. On the other hand, it was not possible to handle these links automatically. For example, it was not possible for larger clinics or specialist practices, which may receive several hundred such links per day, to process them efficiently.

This consumed a lot of resources and was very frustrating.

The DLX format has been standard since the beginning of 2025, but the changeover has been slow in places. What measures does the working group propose to drive integration forward?

Tobias Anger: Yes, there is still a problem with the implementation. Many portal providers have now implemented the standard. This means that the newly issued links comply with this standard.

However, the updated system often still needs to be installed. Many providers have to successively update the portal or QR code software at the respective practices and radiologists so that they can create and process standardized codes. It is easier for companies that offer software from the cloud. In the end, it is a central changeover and then all newly created web links work directly according to the standard.

In the working group, we discussed setting up a list on a website where you can find out which manufacturers comply with the DLX standard. This way, you can see whether your own provider is listed there and can find out from the manufacturer whether the standard can be implemented or installed on your own premises.

The working group recently met at RÖKO 2025. What are the latest developments and what next steps are planned?

Tobias Anger: The first thing to note was that the German Radiological Society, which helped initiate the project, was very pleased that the standard has been implemented and that the standard has now been published. It has definitely expressed its gratitude and praise for this.

In fact, we are now planning the next step. This is because the standardized web link first defines how the images can be retrieved. What has not yet been determined is how images and image findings can be transported nationally, but also throughout Europe.

To this end, a new group has been formed from the original group, in which we - together with other stakeholders and international bodies involved in HL7 - want to define how images and image findings can be exchanged from practice to practice and from clinic to clinic across Europe in the future.

This will most likely lead to the telematics infrastructure and KIM (communication in medicine). We are currently in the process of initiating a pilot project in order to be able to influence the European structure. This is definitely very exciting and we hope to achieve results very quickly.

Telepaxx - Your partner for DLX-normalized QR codes

Telepaxx recognized the importance of the DLX format early on and already offers solutions that support the new standard. With the Telepaxx patient portal, medical facilities can provide patients and referring physicians with image data easily and securely in the DLX standard - without any new software installation, thanks to updates from the cloud.

In addition, the Telepaxx DLX Importer software enables the uncomplicated import of DLX-normalized data downloads into existing PACS systems (Picture Archiving and Communication System). The Importer is quickly implemented as Software-as-a-Service and can be combined with all common PACS and RIS/HIS.

We are at your side:

Comprehensive expertise: Telepaxx has many years of experience in the field of medical data management and knows the requirements of radiology facilities and clinics inside out.
Future-proof solutions: Telepaxx products are geared towards the latest technological developments and standards.
Seamless integration: Telepaxx solutions can be easily and quickly integrated into existing IT infrastructures.
Strong partner: Telepaxx accompanies its customers from consulting and implementation through to ongoing support.

Switch to the DLX standard now

The DLX format is a decisive step towards a more efficient and secure exchange of medical image data. With the support of Telepaxx, medical facilities can easily implement this new standard and benefit from its many advantages. The era of the patient CD is coming to an end - the future belongs to digital and standardized data exchange.