Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 23, 2026

MECIF Protocol

The MECIF Protocol, is a rare communications protocol originally developed by Hewlett-Packard to allow external devices 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 to send commands to a server. The protocol can be used to retrieve vital data from patient monitors, such as ECG, blood pressure and heart-rate signals.

Last revised
Jun 23, 2026
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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.

References

References

  1. [1], A Macintosh Client for the Hewlett-Packard Component Monitoring System
  2. [2], RS232 Computer Interface Programming Guide
External links
  • 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