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Medical device connectivity based on IEEE 11073 SDC

An international standard: IEEE 11073 SDC

SDC is a web services-based architecture that enables interoperability amongst point-of-care medical devices and data exchange between point-of-care devices and HL7 compatible clinical and hospital information systems. It enables a hospital’s medical technologies to share data and information bi-directionally, securely and dynamically.

SDC was envisioned and developed by OR.NET, a non-profit organization bringing together industrial specialists, clinicians and researchers. Dräger is one of its members and proud to have contributed to the efforts which resulted in the SDC standard published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

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Deep dive: SDC whitepaper

Infographic: Connected Technologies

Added clinical value of secure and dynamic networking with SDC

Service Oriented Device Connectivity - Service-oriented Device Connectivity (SDC)

The architecture of the IEEE 11073 SDC standards family is optimised to the advanced requirements of high acuity environments such as the OR, ICU and NICU. It enables the integration of relevant devices, applications and the hospital IT systems. The web services-based architecture provides reliable multi-directional data exchange, which can include remote control of medical devices.

The networking requirements of SDC are minimal. SDC communication protocols can be implemented in existing hospital IT infrastructures with nominal added investment and effort. The systems are highly scalable, supporting SDC-capable devices from a range of manufacturers.

Manufacturer-independent data exchange at the point of care – SDC

With SDC, integrated devices from a range of manufacturers could be interoperable, which would potentially advance how and when care is delivered for achieving better clinical outcomes. Dräger patient monitors, anaesthesia machines, and intensive care ventilators soon will be able to exchange information with other point-of-care devices for optimal therapy decisions.

Before SDC, point-of-care devices with network capability would typically connect to only their own proprietary networks. A manufacturer’s network-enabled vital signs monitors might serve as access points for their therapy devices. SDC-capable devices connected directly to a network offer ‘data transfer’ advantages over devices using proprietary networks.

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Standardised Communication

Networked SDC-capable devices and systems can communicate bi-directionally, sending and receiving data presented in a standardised communication nomenclature.

Secure Connectivity

Mutual authentication ensures that only approved devices and systems can interact, while transmitted data are encrypted to protect hospital assets and patient information against possible misuse or theft.

Dynamic Networking

Devices connect to create a dynamically scalable system based on fundamental risk management and approval concepts.

Service-oriented Device Connectivity: A milestone for Improving Acute Care

Sharing more data amongst point-of-care devices and hospital systems is a technological achievement. Putting the shared data to use is a breakthrough in the delivery of care.

for aggregated data

Increasing the availability of clinical information and admission data at the point of care can help improve clinical results and workflow. Clinicians can visualize more information than ever before in one place, accessing aggregated data from connected and interoperable sources when making critical treatment decisions. They can also experience more complete control over point-of-care devices, streamlining clinical workflows with the ability to bridge distances between data sources and patients. Taking this one step further, SDC and interoperability could automate clinical procedures.

for insights-based decision making

SDC can help drive insights-based decision making. Having medical-grade data available when and where it could have the greatest impact on patient care makes for timely decisions. Applying data analytics in a retrospective review of medical-grade data can help in identifying best clinical practices around therapies and clinical procedures. Medical-grade data could also help enable process automation between devices, as it can be exchanged efficiently, in real time.

for protection against data theft

By enabling more point-of-care devices to share a network, SDC can help protect hospital assets and patient information against misuse and theft.

Three main features of SDC contribute to data and system security:

Integrity and confidentiality of information result from TLS protocol based mutual authentication of both client and server.
Secure data transport is achieved by an end-to-end encryption based on a X.509 (ISO/IEC 9594-8) public key infrastructure for creation of digital certificates.
Connectivity to identified devices on the network is managed based on whitelists for authorization.

for saving integration costs

With the reduction of device and system Integration efforts, SDC provides both clinical and administrative advantages. Integrating devices to a conforming network interface can reduce the need for expensive and elaborate custom integration projects. Avoiding custom integrations could result in a clearer risk management position. Operating SDC-capable devices and systems can also help decrease administrative complexity by reducing cost-heavy middleware solutions, proprietary drivers and the need of time-consuming, labour-intensive updating.

More information

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