​Statement on the Interoperability of Medical Devices

Developed By: Committee on Equipment and Facilities
Last Amended: October 18, 2023 (original approval: October 22, 2008)

ASA believes that intercommunication and interoperability of electronic medical devices will lead to important advances in patient safety and patient care, and that the standards and protocols to allow such seamless, secure, intercommunication should be developed fully with these advances in mind.  Cybersecurity of medical devices and of the transmitted data should also be considered. ASA also recognizes that, as in all technological advances, interoperability may pose safety and medico legal challenges. The development of standards and production of interoperable equipment protocols should strike the proper balance to achieve maximum patient safety, efficiency, and outcome benefit.