Describe existing systems, required information exchanges and ownership of configuration and testing in an equipment integration brief.
A useful integration enquiry describes the workflow the facility wants to achieve. Listing connectivity as a requirement is too broad to establish the systems, interfaces and work involved.
Map the current and intended workflow
Record the systems involved, their relevant versions and the information that needs to move between them. Identify who creates, reviews and receives that information. Ask the facility team to distinguish an essential workflow from an optional improvement so suppliers can respond to a clear priority.
Identify the evidence and dependencies
Request the relevant interface documentation from each supplier. Ask which capabilities are installed, which require licenses or configuration, and which still need technical confirmation. Record access, network and supplier-coordination dependencies rather than assuming they are included in the equipment price. For imaging interfaces using DICOM, request the applicable DICOM conformance statements (opens in a new tab) and have the responsible team review them. The conformance standard does not define testing or validation procedures, so agree those checks separately.
Define test cases and ownership
Agree the outcomes the facility expects to see and who will approve them. Specify a suitable test environment and test-data handling arrangement with the responsible teams. Assign ownership for configuration, issue resolution and final records so an unanswered interface question does not remain between suppliers at handover.
Enquiry checklist
- Systems, versions and intended workflow
- Required interfaces and supplier documentation
- Licenses, access and configuration dependencies
- Test cases, acceptance owner and handover records
Sources and further reading
- DICOM Standard: DICOM PS3.2: Scope and Field of Application (opens in a new tab)
Defines the purpose of conformance statements and the limits of the conformance standard. Applies to DICOM imaging interfaces, not every medical-device connection.
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