How do we support real time medical devices?

This would depend on what medical devices and where.  What we have seen at many hospitals that are interfacing patient monitors, ventilators, and IV Pumps, the first call goes to IS.  In the off hours, the nursing supervisor calls the on call person.  For vitals sign monitors, we have normally see that these are supported normal IS office hours.  If the a set of  vitals don't come thru, they are documented manually.  Where this question gets complicated is in the critical care areas - ICU, ED and OR.  There seems to be a trend in many hospitals where IS is extending their support 7 days a week and extending to two shifts.  The push in CPOE, medical devices interfaces, and more patient documentation online has forced many IS departments to review their support policies.  If you only have one interface engineer, we strongly recommend that you have a secondary support person who is knowledgeable in the interfaces is assist.