Protect Computer-Based Medical Devices from Viruses and Other Threats

Main Category: Medical Devices / Diagnostics
Article Date: 21 Aug 2005 - 15:00 PDT

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Maintaining the security of computer-based medical devices, which can fall prey to an estimated 100,000 computer viruses, can be challenging. ECRI (formerly the Emergency Care Research Institute), an independent, nonprofit health services research agency, advises hospitals on how to protect and maintain the security of computer-based medical devices in a recent issue of its monthly journal Health Devices. This guidance article features ECRI's step-by-step approach to maintaining, updating, and protecting computer-based medical devices.

The integration of computer hardware has exposed medical devices that rely on commercial software and operating systems to damage by computer viruses and other malicious programs. ECRI offers the following planning steps to avoid pitfalls: assemble a team, examine existing devices, request patches and upgrades, consider isolating devices on the hospital's network, and protect new devices.

ECRI recommends that medical device security involve a collaborative approach to defend against viruses and other threats. This article helps information technology staff (IT), biomedical engineering personnel, and others involved with the security of computer-based medical devices ensure that their equipment is made safe and will continue to remain safe, and ensure patient safety.

This month's issue of Health Devices also covers an ECRI audio conference on the application of radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology in healthcare. The conference features the perspectives of individuals with experience implementing healthcare RFID systems.

All issues of Health Devices, ECRI's flagship publication for healthcare technology decision makers, include a section derived from ECRI's International Problem Reporting System. Articles in this section describe medical device hazards investigated by ECRI and includes specific recommendations to help healthcare facilities minimize risks. This month's Problem Reporting section describes incidents of anesthesia ventilator failure caused by defective ventilator motor components and a fluid warmer washer-degradation problem caused by a change in the supplier's recommended cleaning procedures.

Health Devices is provided to members of ECRI's Health Devices System, Health Devices Gold, and SELECTplus™ programs. For nearly 35 years, Health Devices has featured comparative, brand-name evaluations of medical devices and systems based on extensive laboratory testing and clinical studies. ECRI's evaluations focus on the safety, performance, efficacy, and human factors design of specific medical devices and technologies. Along with ECRI's test results and ratings, published evaluations include a technology overview, guidance on selecting appropriate devices and using them safely, and discussion of relevant topics, such as cost containment, equipment management, and adherence to standards. Health Devices also features in-depth guidance articles on healthcare technology management topics.

For information on purchasing single or bulk copies of the July 2005 issue of Health Devices, or for more information about membership, contact ECRI by telephone at (610) 825-6000, ext. 5891; by e-mail at communications@ecri.org; by fax at (610) 834-1275; by mail at 5200 Butler Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462-1298, USA; or by visiting www.ecri.org. ECRI's European office can be contacted at info@ecri.org.uk, ECRI's Asia-Pacific office can be contacted at s.e.asia@ecri.org; and ECRI's Middle Eastern office can be contacted at middleeast@ecri.org.

For more information:
Lauren Conrad
+1 (610) 825-6000, ext. 5346
lconrad@ecri.org
ECRI (formerly the Emergency Care Research Institute)

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