REMEDI central — expanding and sustaining a medical device community

Abstract

Abstract The Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering (RCHE), an interdisciplinary research center located at Purdue University, facilitated the development of a science community for medical device informatics, known as Regenstrief National Center for Medical Device Informatics (REMEDI). The community uses an online science gateway called REMEDI Central for a variety of data analytic and collaboration activities. Formed in 2009, REMEDI is an evidence-based community of practice, initially focused on smart pump technology and infusion therapy safety. REMEDI is a virtual community of pharmacists, nurses, other clinicians, infusion pump vendors, researchers, and national organizations such as the American Association of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). In 2017, in response to a need identified by AAMI, REMEDI expanded its scope to include new applications, databases, and community engagement spaces for respiratory therapists, nurses, and ventilator vendors. In 2018, the REMEDI project started analyzing new sustainable funding models with a funding model implemented in 2019. In this paper, we reflect on the virtual community’s growth and the successful implementation of a sustainable business model, which is an approach other science gateways might consider.