Medical image importer and method

Provided are a medical information importer and method for importing medical information into a network-accessible database. The medical information importer includes a housing includes with an external stand-alone form factor, the housing including an interface for receiving a portable computer-readable medium storing medical information. An information reading component is provided for reading the medical information from the portable computer-readable medium when operatively connected to the interface. A computer-readable memory in communication with the information reading component stores, at least temporarily, the medical information read by the reading component under the direction of a controller. And a network interface connects the medical information importer to a communication network without a local connection between the medical information importer and a computer terminal including a display device for viewing the medical information.