Answers to your questions on what you need to know about Welch Allyn's device connectivity solutions and how to get your devices connected to your Electronic Health Records (EHRs).
Q: What is a connected device? What does it mean to connect a device to an EHR?
A: A connected device is simply a device that can electronically communicate and transfer its information to an external software application such as an Electronic Health Record (EHR) via hardwired or wireless media. To connect a device to an EHR means that the device manufacturer and EHR vendor have developed a software interface which allows for automated transfer of the devices diagnostic data into the patient record in the EHR.
Q: How do I connect to an EHR that Welch Allyn already has a relationship with?
A: 1. Purchase the appropriate connectivity accessory option to match the medical device purchased from Welch Allyn.
2. Contact your EHR to enable the interface. This may involve installing a more recent version of your EHR software. There may be additional charges from the EHR to enable this interface.
Q: How do I connect to an EHR that Welch Allyn has not worked with before?
-
Provide your Welch Allyn field representative with contact information from your Electronic Health Record (EHR) vendor including: company name, product name and phone number.
-
Contact your EHR vendor and inform them that you are interested in connecting Welch Allyn devices to their software. Ask the EHR to contact Welch Allyn to begin device connectivity licensing and interface development discussions.
-
Welch Allyn will engage in discussions with your EHR to verify technical feasibility and a timeline for scheduling development of the interface.
-
The EHR programming staff will then develop and test the device interface and incorporate it into an appropriate software update release. This includes programming for how they will receive data and where they will present and store that data in the application screens.
-
The updated software release will then need to be installed in your system. The EHR may charge an interface fee for this service.
Q: How do I get connected?
A: If you currently own a Welch Allyn device that is listed as one of our connected products, or you are interested in purchasing one of these devices and interfacing with your EHR system, you will need to purchase the following accessories in addition to the medical device:
Vital Signs Devices
1. The appropriate connectivity accessory kit
a. Part number 4500-925 - USB Cable for Spot Vital Signs
b. Part number 4200-170 - IR Serial Adapter for Spot Vital Signs
c. Part number 5200-170 - Serial Data Cable for the Vital Signs Monitor
(These accessory kits are available for order through your Welch Allyn sales representative)
Cardiopulmonary Devices
1. CardioPerfect Workstation Software version 1.5.0 or higher
And
2. The interface software functionality enabled by your electronic health record application vendor (see our Connected Partners list for more information).
If your software application is not included on the current Connected Partner list, or if you need to upgrade your device software, please contact us.
Welch Allyn Global
