Quick answer: Use your organisation's approved systems for patient data first. When sending imaging or videos by link is allowed, de-identify files where you can, encrypt identifiable data in a password-protected ZIP, and upload to Share Large Video Files (up to 20 GB) with the link limited to named recipients, a short expiry, deletion after download and a receipt. Share Large Video Files does not offer end-to-end encryption and makes no HIPAA, GDPR or other compliance claim.
Files doctors and clinics send, and how big they get
| File | Format | Typical size |
|---|---|---|
| CT study (hundreds to thousands of slices) | DICOM | about 150 MB to 1 GB |
| MRI study | DICOM | about 50 to 500 MB |
| Digital X-ray, one image | DICOM | about 10 to 30 MB |
| Ultrasound cine clips | DICOM, MP4 | 10 to 200 MB each |
| Surgical or procedure video, 1 hour 1080p at 8 Mbps | MP4 | about 3.5 GB |
| Referral letter, lab report | under 5 MB |
A CT slice of 512 × 512 pixels at 2 bytes each is 0.5 MB, so a 1,000-slice study is about 500 MB before compression.
A workflow that works
- Check your policy: whether this kind of data may leave your systems, and with whose consent.
- For teaching, second opinions without identity, or conference material: de-identify the DICOM (your PACS or viewer can anonymise an export) and remove names from file names.
- For identifiable data: put the files in a password-protected ZIP with a strong password, then upload it.
- Under More options: Who can open the link = Only emails or domains I list, a short Expires after, Delete after first download? = Yes, Email me when it's downloaded.
- Send the link by email and the password by phone.
Recommended options
| Option (under More options) | Setting | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Who can open the link | Only emails or domains I list | Only the named clinician can open it |
| Expires after | The shortest that works | Files are deleted when the transfer expires |
| Delete after first download? | Yes (identifiable data) | Nothing stays online once collected |
| Download limits: per person | 1 | One copy only |
| Email me when it's downloaded | On | A record of receipt for the case notes |
Set these once, press Save current next to Preset, and reuse the same options for every case with one tap.
What we do and do not claim
Files travel over HTTPS and are deleted from our servers when the transfer expires. We do not offer end-to-end encryption, we do not sign business associate or data processing agreements for health data, and we do not claim HIPAA, GDPR or any health-sector certification. That is why the workflow above encrypts identifiable data before upload and keeps links short-lived. View-only previews cannot display DICOM files, so recipients need a DICOM viewer.
Patients sending their own scans
Patients often have imaging on a CD or USB stick and want a specialist to see it. A clinic can create a Request files link for this; the patient decides to upload their own copy, and the files arrive with the clinic. Tell patients what to upload and what not to, and move received files into your records system promptly.
Frequently asked questions
Is Share Large Video Files HIPAA or GDPR compliant?
We make no compliance or certification claims and do not sign business associate agreements. Use your organisation's approved systems for patient data, and encrypt anything identifiable before uploading here.
How big is a CT or MRI study?
A CT study is typically 150 MB to 1 GB, and an MRI study 50 to 500 MB, depending on the number of slices and series.
Can the recipient view DICOM in the browser?
Not on this site. They download the files and open them in a DICOM viewer, such as the one in their PACS.
How do I remove patient details from DICOM files?
Use the anonymise or de-identify export in your PACS or DICOM viewer, and check file and folder names too.
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