Standardization and interoperability: Basic conditions for efficient solutions

Abstract

Information and communication technologies have already become inseparable part of healthcare sector activities. In the paper we discuss the issues of standardization and interoperability that are crucial for correct interconnection of medical and other devices and information systems. Our previous work in the area has led us to the conclusion that successful integration of partial solutions will be strongly dependent on the issue of interoperability of medical devices and information systems. It comprises problems of standardization of data acquisition, communication, processing, and storage; and connected problem: correct data mapping between different ICT applications. We present several examples of partial solutions of communication and data format definition in dedicated areas. © 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.