The Cardiology Information System: the need for data standards for integration of systems for patient care, registries and guidelines for clinical practice

The building blocks come together, finally! Already three decades ago we were dreaming of the complete Cardiology Information System. However, at that time the computer programmers explained that it was too early. In the subsequent year information tech- nology (IT) specialists, replacing the programmers, gave similar messages. Business interests of medical equipment industries seemed not to support data exchange; however this has changed in recent years. Now, finally the pieces come together. The bricks have been laid, the blocks have been made, and the system can be built.