• Scalable framework is fully capable of operating in a distributed environment with a high volume of users per server
• Vendor-neutral hardware requirements
• Virtual server support can expedite migration into facility server network and application interfaces
• Latest wireless standards offer security and isolation
• System operates with a low resource load

It takes foresight and vision to evolve a software platform like Hospira MedNet to see what hospitals are going to need as they grow. The Hospira MedNet Technology Roadmap is a guide intended to indicate the direction of the platform rather than a description of specific features or when they will be available.

Hospira is fully committed to advancing this technology on multiple fronts, ranging from ongoing improvements and upgrades to expanded integration with hospital information resources.

Challenges associated with mutli-facility systems revolve around data integration, server performance and the reporting of patient safety data across multiple facilities.

Hospira MedNet will continue to be optimized for the server environments required to support multiple facilities and to develop system capacity for efficient management and reporting of data resources.

Hospira MedNet can stand alone as a device-level patient safety system, function in a limited network infrastructure or work in a more sophisticated wireless environment. As it becomes more integrated into various hospital information systems, tremendous power is unleashed through meaningful information and useful tools for clinicians, managers and pharmacists to use in the pursuit of safer clinical care and improved workflow.

The Hospira MedNet Integrator™ application group will continue to leverage its open architecture to bring additional, important data from enterprise applications to the point of care. Hospira is working with several technology partners to make advanced tools for translating legacy data, improving communications and making conversions more efficient. In addition, Hospira will create interfaces designed with Human Factors Engineering techniques and make them compliant with HL7 interface standards.

Extending Hospira MedNet Integrator's capabilities, Hospira MedNet Programmer™ will bring patient safety full circle by utilizing pharmacy information, input from computerized physician order entry (CPOE) systems and 5-Rights Verification through BPOC and eMAR systems to pre-populate a pump with infusion programming and feed pump data back to the system for validation, monitoring and alerts.

Auto-programming reduces the number of entry steps for the clinician, making the process more efficient and safer. This makes the clinician's job easier and inspires confidence that the drug libraries and rule sets for the unit are being adhered to.

Hospira MedNet looks to expand its capacity to serve international users through the addition of more languages to its core system and to infusion devices as they become available internationally. In addition, region-specific drug libraries might be feasible in areas where drug regimens and protocols vary considerably.

Hospira MedNet Concierge™ provides support to the ever-expanding installed base of Hospira MedNet users. Hospira is committed to extending that support into a variety of tools and processes to help expedite installation and customize Hospira MedNet applications to each customer's needs.

Hospira's upgraded software version releases and capabilities demonstrate its commitment to continued product improvement. These improvements in the management of infusion devices and other capital assets will bring efficiencies in clinical and engineering workflow. Expansion of the communications engine on the devices will enable efficient remote upgrading and remote diagnostics.

Hospira is working with several leading hospital information system (HIS) providers to establish communications between their medication management solutions and its own. These companies include the following:

• Cerner Corp. and Cerner Bridge Medical
• McKesson Corporation
• Siemens Medical Solutions

Interfacing Hospira products with other hospital technologies can enable information sharing, clinical control and assistance adhering to clinical standards—to help decrease the chances of medication errors. For example, when a medication is administered through an infusion pump with Hospira MedNet, the infusion data could be wirelessly and effortlessly transmitted to the patient record via the hospital information system or bar code point-of-care (BPOC) system.

Hospitals are increasingly implementing information technology tools—such as bar codes, electronic medical records, medication management devices and safety software—to help improve patient care and operational efficiency and reduce error risk. Hospira and the vendors with which it is collaborating can help address concerns about a lack of integration among systems by advancing open systems, interoperability and industry standards for communications and security. Hospira is also driving to optimize and synchronize workflows, interface clinical and information systems and track medications administered at the patient bedside by working with additional specialized industry leaders, including these companies:

• Capsule
• Ekahau Inc. (Wi-Fi-based, real-time asset management systems)
• Emergin, Inc. (technology to enable communications between hospital systems)
• InnerWireless, Inc. (system designed to guarantee wireless coverage inside hospitals)
• IntelliDOT Corporation (point-of-care bar code patient safety and documentation systems in hospitals)
• Mediware
• Meditech
• Omnicell, Inc. (bedside medication administration system)
• Sculptor Developmental Technologies, Inc. (medication verification solutions using bar codes and radio frequency identification)

Hospira's 802.11a/b/g wireless module takes infusion system connectivity to a new level. Most wireless products—such as mobile phones, pagers and other medical devices-communicate via the 802.11 "b" or "g" modes on the 2.4 GHz band. With Hospira's leading-edge platform, hospitals can choose to operate the company's infusion devices in the "b" or "g" mode, or the less-frequently used "a" (5 GHz band) wireless mode, to help ensure clear, consistent data transmission. Three operating standards mean more options are available for future enhancements. The module is compatible with all Hospira infusion systems that utilize Hospira Mednet Software.

The 802.11a band can provide improved segmentation, isolation and less interference from other wireless devices. The module supports the IEEE 802.1x security standard that is being deployed in many hospital networks that provide users with access control to network resources. Advanced encryption supports the IEEE standard 802.11i to improve encryption and data integrity over the previous version of Wired Equivalent Privacy. These standards support compliance with regulations for patient confidentiality.

The Hospira MedNet system has been designed to be scalable and upgradeable, and it achieves these goals by focusing on the following:

• Applications written in Java and J2EE
• Microsoft® Windows® Server Operating Systems to leverage the experience of Microsoft certified engineers currently within the hospital environment
• Microsoft Windows 2003 Server running Microsoft SQL Server™ 2005*
• Native Web-based application designed to be integrated to medication administration/bar code point-of-care systems and other HIS system platforms
• Off-the-shelf, readily available standards-based and cost-effective technology
• Wired or wireless network connections including distinct access point (AP) and Distributed Antenna System (DAS) infrastructures
• IEEE 802.11a/b/g wireless standards

Download PDF [P07_0896] for complete Technical Specifications.

Hospira MedNet is based on a multi-tier client server architecture using Microsoft technologies. It is designed to be upgradeable for multi-facility support in future releases and to scale down for smaller hospitals.

Standards:

• Microsoft Windows 2003 Server
• Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition*
• TCP/IP
• IEEE 802.11 wireless
• XML

*Contact Hospira for software version updates, fixes, current specifications and recommended anti-virus protection software.