GE HealthCare announced its membership in OR.NET e.V., an organization that aims to advance device integration and interoperability in medical technology.

Through the strategic initiative, GE HealthCare commits to help drive finalization and adoption of the Service-oriented Device Connectivity (SDC) protocol, a standard to ensure seamless communication between medical devices—even among equipment from different suppliers. Interoperability creates integrated clinical environments, where devices can communicate directly and coordinate effectively.

The emerging SDC protocol is based on the ISO/IEEE 11073 standards. It facilitates secure, reliable exchange of data between medical devices from different manufacturers. The result hopes to ensure patient data is shared bi-directionally, consistently, and accurately.

“We are pleased to welcome GE HealthCare, a global leader in medical technology and digital solutions, to OR.NET,” said Sebastian Bürger, managing director, OR.NET. “Their commitment to open standards and interoperability aligns perfectly with our mission to advance seamless connectivity in clinical environments via the SDC standard. We look forward to collaborating on innovative solutions to enhance connectivity, foster innovation, and ultimately improve patient outcomes.”

SDC can enable real-time data exchange and external control between medical devices.

“This capability is particularly crucial in high-acuity settings such as operating rooms (OR) and intensive care units (ICU), where timely and accurate information may significantly improve patient outcomes,” said Alla K. Woodson, general manager, anesthesia and global services, GE HealthCare. “Creating standards for medical device integration and interoperability for anesthesia machines, infusion pumps, and patient monitors can enable these devices to communicate directly and exchange relevant data seamlessly, augmenting clinical decision-making and helping reduce the risk of medical errors.”

“Patient care is an ever-evolving landscape and for that reason GE HealthCare is committed to developing medical devices that offer flexibility and can evolve as technology and care needs

change,” said Neal Sandy, general manager, monitoring solutions, GE HealthCare. “This is especially true with patient monitoring where GE HealthCare has invested in a suite of FlexAcuity offerings that can support monitoring needs today and tomorrow. Our intention, initiated with customers today, is to leverage Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) technology to enable seamless transitions and continuity of care regardless of a patient’s acuity and location, and the inclusion of SDC will further enhance each caregiver’s ability to dynamically care for patients as care needs evolve.”