Resources

The Center for Medical Interoperability organized medical device suppliers and health care systems to work together to define best practices for interoperability.  This included standards and built an integrating layer between IEEE 11073, IHE, IETF to facilitate true plug and play, with maximum security at every layer.  InnoVision Medical Technologies was the first to be C4MI Verified for a gateway device for the Draeger IACS patient monitor system per the issued specification (Clinical Data Interoperability Based on IHE PCD – Semantics, Syntax and Encoding (I01)). 

Assuring all data being transmitted by a medical device is stamped with accurate patient and location information is key to full interoperability. A specification for Point-of-Care Identity Management (PCIM) is in development. Implementing PCIM means no need to accurately entering patient information on each device. PCIM offers a more automated and seamless way to assure patient to device association. InnoVision solutions already implements PCIM andit has been tested at various Connectathons.  This video from the HIMSS22 interoperability showcase shows the value that PCIM provides to assure accurate documentation and alarm management, particularly if bi-directional communication from the EMR is not available

Great resource to help Administrators, Analysts, Clinical Engineering and Technology evaluators with the selection of systems that support effective interoperability and efficient workflows. Use this guide to select devices that can be more efficiently dropped into your environment while avoiding vendor lock- in.

IEEE 11073-10101 is the standard nomenclature used by medical devices. This list of terms is continually expanding. Search this list to determine how to accurately output the data from sensors and settings. If a new term must be added, there is an application process and because it takes time for approval, defined terms, private and proposed terms can be used in the interim. Available terms can be searched using a useful tool called Harmonized Rosetta (RTMMS for short) and is supplied and managed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

The IHE DEV technical framework provides state of the art standards for medical device communication. Most interoperable medical devices and data consumers use this framework. Key profiles include: 

• Device Enterprise Communication (DEC) - Communicate clinical observations from a device. Major EMR vendors are interoperable and support these messages directly.

• Alert Communication Management (ACM) - Communicate alerts/alarms from a device. Major alerting systems support these messages directly.

• Rosetta Terminology Mapping (RTM) - Communicate any kind of observations with full semantic understanding. No need for mapping to be  redone privately at each hospital in non-standard ways. Major EMR vendors, alert systems, support this directly.

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Medical devices that support these profiles simplify the integration process and require much less manual integration and configuration.

IHE Connectathons allow the interoperability of systems from different suppliers to be validated together. Until systems actually connect together, true interoperability success is unknown.  InnoVision Medical’s gateway solution attached to a ventilator is an example of a report.  Connectathons are generally held a few times per year.