MECIF Protocol

The MECIF Protocol (Medical Computer Interface Protocol), is a rare communications protocol originally developed by Hewlett-Packard to allow external devices (e.g. computers) to communicate with certain Hewlett-Packard patient monitors. It is a client–server based protocol that uses a modified RS-232 cable to allow a client (e.g. a computer) to send commands to a server (e.g. patient monitor).^[1] The protocol can be used to retrieve vital data from patient monitors, such as ECG, blood pressure and heart-rate signals.

Ownership of the protocol has changed hands many times and was most recently supported by Philips.^[2]

Due to the complexity of the protocol, very few software applications currently support it.

• MECIFView - Software application for acquiring data from patient monitors using the MECIF protocol
• MediCollector - Software application for collecting data from patient monitors
• record - Software tools for communicating using the MECIF protocol

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