A system and method for collecting medical image data items. A central processor identifies a new medical image data file on a remote image storage memory. The central processor determines that the new medical image data file is a completed file and copies the completed file to a central storage memory. The central processor determines an expected set of files corresponding to the medical image data file that defines a medical image data item. The central processor determines that each of the medical image data files in the expected set have been copied to the central storage memory. The central processor then generates an indicator that the medical image date item is available on the central storage memory.