In a neurological rehabilitation clinic, therapists work with many devices every day: robotics for arm and gait, treadmills with gait analysis, strength equipment, systems for movement analysis, visual field or sleep. Each of these devices produces valuable data. And almost every one of them stores it in its own software.
Many organisations know the result: anyone who wants to see a patient’s progress opens several programs, prints out PDF reports or transfers values by hand into the hospital information system (HIS). This takes time, causes transcription errors – and the actual connection between the data is lost.
Why data silos arise
Data silos are rarely a deliberate decision. A device fleet grows over years, often across different departments and budgets. Each manufacturer supplies its own software, designed for its own device. A shared view of the patient is not part of this model.
On top of that, many devices only output their results as a report, not as individual measurements. A PDF can be filed, but not analysed, compared with other values or transferred into a progress record.
Where standards help
Healthcare has established standards for data exchange. Where a device or system supports them, they are the first route:
- HL7 (version 2) is the widely used standard for messages between the HIS and subsystems, for example for orders, patient master data and findings.
- FHIR is the newer HL7 standard. It describes data as individual resources and uses web technologies. Many manufacturers are developing their interfaces in this direction.
- DICOM governs the exchange of image data and associated information.
- GDT (Gerätedatenträger) is widespread in the German-speaking region and connects medical devices with practice or hospital software.
Via the Device Connector, Datico® integrates devices and systems using these standards. The HIS Connector handles the exchange with the hospital information system in both directions.
Where no standard applies
Not every device speaks a standard. Some only offer a file export, others a proprietary protocol, still others no open interface at all. In these cases Datico® uses the manufacturer’s interface or agrees on one together with the manufacturer. The aim is always to take over not just the finished report but also the individual measurements – because only they can be analysed.
For devices with a return channel, it also works the other way round: via Order Entry, an order is sent to the device and the result comes back automatically. Nobody has to enter patient data twice.
You can see which manufacturers and devices are already connected on the Compatible systems page.
One progress record on one timeline
Once the devices are connected, their data comes together in a single progress record. The values from robotics, gait analysis and strength diagnostics sit on a shared timeline – together with findings and assessments. Changes become visible without anyone having to merge spreadsheets. The therapist sees how walking speed has developed in relation to robotic therapy and decides on the next steps on that basis.
Capturing assessments digitally
A large part of the documentation in neurorehabilitation is produced not on devices but in assessments and questionnaires. Often still on paper. With Smart Forms you capture these assessments digitally, for example on a tablet. The results land in the same progress record as the device data and can be analysed immediately.
A complement to the electronic patient record
Datico® is not an electronic patient record and does not replace one. In Germany, the ePA is the record provided by gematik. Datico® captures what usually does not arrive there: the ongoing data from therapy, devices and assessments. Whatever has to be documented goes to the HIS as a finding and from there onwards.
In practice: NRZ Rosenhügel in Vienna
At the Neurological Rehabilitation Centre Rosenhügel in Vienna, the team works in exactly this way. Diagnostic and therapy systems from different manufacturers are connected to Datico®. Their results are combined into a finding and passed to the HIS. You can read how this looks in everyday practice in the case study on NRZ Rosenhügel.
How to get started
A good first step is a list: which devices and systems do you use, what data is produced there, and which of it do you need in the progress record? This shows which integrations come first. You don’t have to replace any devices to do this.
We would be glad to go through this list with you. Book an initial consultation.
