Interoperability in the OR
GE Healthcare Joins OR.Net and Strengthens Connectivity via SDC
A uniform standard for the networked operating room: GE Healthcare becomes a member of OR.Net e.V. to support the development of the SDC protocol. The aim is to improve the connectivity of medical devices and optimize clinical workflows with digital workflows.
GE HealthCare, a leading global medical technology manufacturer, has announced its membership of OR.Net e.V.. The organization is dedicated to promoting device integration and interoperability in medical technology via the Service-oriented Device Connectivity (SDC) protocol, which enables seamless communication between medical devices - even between devices from different manufacturers.
| The OR.NET e.V. |
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emerged from a German research project of the same name, which was carried out from 2012 to 2016 with funding from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). Over 50 project partners from industry, research and clinics worked on the development of an open standard for networking medical devices. The results were published in 2018 in the form of the ISO/IEEE 11073 SDC standards and mark an important step towards interoperability in medical technology. |
OR.Net Managing Director Sebastian Bürger is looking forward to working with GE Healthcare. After all, the globally active company joins a long line of medical technology companies such as Aesculap, B.Braun, Carl Zeiss, Dräger, Philips, Richard Wolf and Steute, to name just a few of the already active members.
»GE Healthcare's commitment to open standards and interoperability aligns perfectly with our mission to drive seamless connectivity in clinical environments via the SDC standard,« said Bürger.
Collaboration for Open Standards in Medical Technology
The SDC protocol is based on the ISO/IEEE 11073 standards and facilitates secure and reliable data exchange between medical devices. This is crucial for integrated clinical environments where devices can communicate directly with each other and coordinate effectively. GE HealthCare's membership is intended to accelerate the development of standards for different types of devices and promote their market acceptance.
Advantages of Networked Devices: Efficiency and Security
The integration of networked medical devices promises numerous benefits: it simplifies workflows, increases efficiency and provides "big data" for improved clinical decision-making. Especially in sensitive areas such as operating theaters (OR) and intensive care units (ICU), real-time data exchange and external control via the SDC protocol should increase patient safety.
Alla K. Woodson, General Manager for Anesthesia at GE HealthCare, emphasizes: »By establishing standards for the integration and interoperability of anesthesia machines, infusion pumps and patient monitors, these devices can communicate directly with each other and seamlessly exchange relevant data. This improves clinical decision-making and reduces the risk of medical errors.«
Flexibility for the Future of Patient Care
In addition to improving current care, GE HealthCare is focusing on future-oriented technologies such as the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT). Neal Sandy, General Manager of Monitoring Solutions at GE HealthCare, said: »Patient care is constantly evolving. Our investments in FlexAcuity offerings support the monitoring needs of today and tomorrow. The inclusion of SDC will help caregivers dynamically adapt to changing patient needs.«
Pioneering Standard for Medical Technology
Joining OR.Net marks an important step for the standard launched in Germany and its global establishment, as well as for GE Healthcare, to promote open standards and drive interoperability in medical technology globally. By supporting the SDC protocol, the medtech manufacturer is helping to optimize clinical workflows, promote innovation and ultimately increase patient safety. GE HealthCare can build on its long-standing experience in interoperability initiatives, including its commitments to the European Commission and IHE International. (uh)
