BORDEAUX – Several IHE profiles were endorsed for national programs throughout Europe at the 10th annual European Connectathon, which provides a detailed implementation and testing process to promote the adoption of standards-based interoperability by vendors and users of healthcare information systems. Held from April 12-16 in Bordeaux, the testing platform was for the first time entirely managed by Gazelle, the test management tool developed by IHE.

A total of 2,250 interoperability tests were carried out at this year's Connectathon. Out of this total, 1,950 passed. More than 250 engineers were brought together by 66 companies to test 80 profiles and 94 systems in the following domains: radiology, cardiology, IT infrastructure, laboratory, and patient care coordination.

Meetings on international DICOM standards and ePharmacy were also offered at the event, as well as workshops on EU-funded initiatives including epSOS, HITCH, and Smart Personal Health Systems. Industry insiders, users, and representatives from national institutions attended the event.

"Looking at the 10-year history of the Connectathon, we have seen a significant shift from a testing platform to a true European Forum on interoperability," concluded IHE-Europe co-chair Peter Kuenecke.

The 2011 Connectathon will take place April 11-15 at Leopolda Storica in Pisa, Italy.