Overview
ISO/IEEE 11073-10472:2012 - "Health informatics - Personal health device communication - Part 10472: Device specialization - Medication monitor" defines a normative communication profile for medication monitor devices within the ISO/IEEE 11073 family. The standard specifies how personal telehealth medication monitors exchange data with managers (e.g., smartphones, PCs, personal health appliances, set‑top boxes) to enable plug‑and‑play interoperability. It leverages existing 11073 terminology, information models, application profiles and transport standards while reducing optionality to promote consistent interoperability and reliable adherence monitoring in telehealth environments.
Key technical topics and requirements
- Normative communication model: Defines the messaging, association and operating procedures required for medication monitors to interact with managers.
- Domain information model: A medication monitor information model (classes and object instances) for representing device state, dispensed medication events, usage patterns, status reporting and user feedback.
- Specified data types and objects: Coverage includes numeric objects, real‑time sample arrays, enumeration objects, PM‑store objects and scanner objects to represent measurements and events.
- Terminology and codes: Mandates use of specific term codes and formats from ISO/IEEE 11073 to avoid ambiguity and ensure semantic interoperability.
- Service and communication models: Object access services, event reporting, association/configuration procedures, time synchronization and data reporting behaviors are specified.
- Conformance and testing: Includes conformance levels, implementation conformance statements and test association guidance, plus annexes with ASN.1 definitions, identifier allocations and PDU/message examples.
- Interoperability emphasis: Restricts optionality of base frameworks in favor of consistent behavior across vendors and platforms.
Practical applications
- Enables standardized reporting of medication adherence (dispensed doses, missed doses, usage patterns) from smart pillboxes, dispenser devices and medication monitoring appliances to mobile apps and telehealth platforms.
- Facilitates integration of medication monitors into remote patient monitoring ecosystems for chronic disease management and medication reconciliation.
- Supports development of plug‑and‑play consumer and clinical solutions that collect, display and aggregate adherence data for clinicians, caregivers and patients.
Who should use this standard
- Medical device manufacturers developing medication monitors and smart dispensers
- Firmware and software developers for mobile health apps and personal health managers
- Systems integrators and telehealth platform vendors implementing device interfaces
- Test laboratories and certification bodies validating 11073 interoperability
- Standards engineers and product managers responsible for medical device communication
Related standards
- ISO/IEEE 11073 family (terminology, domain models)
- IEEE 11073‑20601 (application profile / optimized exchange protocol)
- Relevant transport and interface profiles in the 11073 series
Keywords: ISO/IEEE 11073-10472, medication monitor, personal health device communication, telehealth, interoperability, device specialization, adherence monitoring, plug‑and‑play.