The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers has signed a memorandum of understanding with software company ICUcare to develop an industry-standard format and middleware application programming interface to allow providers to map data from medical devices into electronic health record systems.
The data format standards and API would help create a more open market for devices and systems integration throughout the healthcare sector, increasing interoperability while reducing costs.
Under the terms of the collaboration, the resulting data standards and API would be available for free throughout the industry.
"The need is great and the time for change is now," said Robert E. Higgs, president of ICUcare, in a news release. "We can no longer remain neutral or passive about this issue, we need to act decisively to develop and implement the necessary technologies that will make interoperability issues in any environment a thing of the past."
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