Method and apparatus for automatically integrating a medical device into a medical facility network

1. A method of initializing a medical device within a medical treatment area, comprising:

detecting the medical device upon introduction of the medical device into the medical treatment area within a wireless range of a medical facility network;

authenticating the medical device based on device identity information specific to the medical device if the medical device is not recognized by the medical facility network;

transmitting an initialization signal from the medical facility network to the medical device if the medical device is recognized or authenticated by the medical facility network;

initializing the medical device in response to the medical device receiving the initialization signal, wherein initializing comprises one of powering the medical device into an active power state, starting up the software program, and unlocking the medical device; and

preventing transmission of the initialization signal from the medical facility network to the medical device based on a user request to forgo transmission of the initialization signal during the authenticating of the medical device.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein after detection of the medical device, the medical facility network transmits an identity information request signal to the medical device.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein in response to the identity information request signal, the medical device transmits an identity information signal to the medical facility network.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the medical facility network is connected to the internet.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the wireless range is limited to approximately the medical treatment area.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the medical facility network comprises a local network or facility-wide network.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the device identity information specific to the medical device is an electronic serial number.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the medical device is not recognized by the medical facility network because the medical device is new and has not yet been entered into the medical facility network.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising preventing transmission of the one or more initialization signals from the medical facility network to the medical device based on user input during the authenticating the medical device.

10. A system for integrating a medical device into a medical facility network, comprising:

a terminal interfacing with the medical facility network;

a display in communication with the terminal; and

a medical device within wireless range of the medical facility network, wherein the medical facility network is configured to:

detect the medical device upon introduction of the medical device into a medical treatment area;

determine if the detected medical device is recognized;

authenticate the medical device based on device identity information specific to the medical device if the medical device is not recognized;

transmit an initialization signal to the medical device if the medical device is recognized or authenticated; and

prevent transmission of the one or more initialization signals from the medical facility network to the medical device based on a user request to forgo transmission of the one or more initialization signals during the authenticating of the medical device,

wherein, in response to receiving the transmitted initialization signal, the medical device is configured to initialize by one of powering the medical device into an active power state, starting up a software program, and unlocking the medical device.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the medical facility network is connected to the internet, thereby facilitating data exchange between the medical facility network and another entity.

12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the wireless range is limited to approximately the medical treatment area.

13. The system of claim 10 , wherein the medical facility network comprises a local network or facility wide network.

14. A medical device comprising:

a processor;

a storage medium; and

a wireless communication interface, wherein the medical device is configured to be:

automatically detected upon introduction into a medical treatment area;

recognized or authenticated by a medical facility network, the authentication based on device identity information specific to the medical device if the medical device is not recognized;

automatically initialized, in response to receiving an initialization signal, the automatic initialization comprising one of powering the medical device into an active power state, starting up a software program, and unlocking the medical device; and

prevented from receiving the initialization signal based on a user request to forgo transmission of the initialization signal during the authenticating of the medical device.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the medical device is further configured to transmit an identity information signal to the medical facility network in response to receiving an identity information request signal.

16. The medical device of claim 14 , wherein the device identity information specific to the medical device is an electronic serial number.

17. The medical device of claim 14 , wherein the medical device is new and has not yet been entered into the medical facility network, causing the medical device to not be recognized by the medical facility network.

18. The medical device of claim 14 , wherein the medical device is retired and has been removed from the medical facility network, causing the medical device to not be recognized by the medical facility network.