In today’s hospitals and healthcare facilities, connected technology is everywhere:  from patient monitors and infusion pumps to imaging systems and diagnostic devices. Each device depends on reliable, safe communication to protect patients and support care teams.

Behind this seamless connectivity lies a complex framework of safety standards designed to ensure that medical and network equipment can operate without electrical, data, or performance risks. One of the most critical of these standards is IEC 60601, which defines global requirements for the design, testing, and use of medical electrical equipment.

What IEC 60601 Means for Connected Healthcare

IEC 60601 is the international standard that defines how medical electrical equipment must be designed and tested to ensure safety and reliability. In simple terms, it’s a set of rules that prevent patients from receiving electrical shocks, keep devices from interfering with one another, and protect hospital systems from failing when it matters most.

The current version, IEC 60601-1, 3rd Edition, goes beyond basic electrical safety. It introduces additional requirements for risk management, usability, and performance, helping manufacturers and integrators design safer systems from the start.

For professionals in healthcare IT, clinical engineering, or systems integration, knowing whether equipment meets IEC 60601 is not just a regulatory checkbox — it’s a critical factor in ensuring patient safety, operational reliability, and long-term trust in connected infrastructure.

Compliance Protects More Than Patients

Let’s be honest, compliance doesn’t always sound exciting. But in a healthcare environment, compliance directly translates to protection, reliability, and efficiency. Meeting IEC 60601 standards provides several key advantages:

• Patient and staff protection:Certified devices maintain strict isolation from mains power and comply with defined leakage limits, reducing electrical hazards in sensitive environments.
  
  
• Simplified audits and approvals:Using compliant components speeds up certification processes and minimizes revalidation efforts.
  
  
• Bridging legacy and modern systems:Hospitals often rely on serial-based legacy devices. IEC 60601-compliant connectivity enables safe integration into modern Ethernet or Wi-Fi networks.
  
  
• Operational assurance:When network components meet the same safety standards as medical equipment, organizations gain consistency and confidence across their entire infrastructure.

Digi Connect® EZ WS: Compliance by Design

In healthcare environments, every connected device must meet the same rigorous standards as the medical equipment it supports. That’s where the Digi Connect® EZ WS comes in — a medical-grade serial-to-Ethernet device server designed to ensure IEC 60601-1 compliance across networked systems in patient-care and laboratory settings.

Developed specifically for regulated environments, the solution provides a safe and reliable bridge between existing serial-based equipment and secure IP networks. By connecting ventilators, analyzers, and patient monitors to modern Ethernet or Wi-Fi infrastructures, the Digi Connect® EZ WS enables healthcare providers to modernize connectivity while maintaining the highest levels of safety, performance, and compliance.

Key Features at a Glance:

• IEC 60601-1 compliance for medical safety and peace of mind
• Four RS-232 serial ports to connect multiple devices at once
• Power over Ethernet (PoE) for flexible installation without extra cables
• Wi-Fi 6 support for wireless medical connectivity
• Built-in Digi TrustFence® security, providing encryption, authentication, and secure boot protection
• Runs on Digi Accelerated Linux (DAL) — a stable, secure operating system built for long-term reliability
• Works seamlessly with Digi Remote Manager® or On-Prem Manager for monitoring and device management

Together, these capabilities make the Digi Connect® EZ WS a plug-and-play solution for safe, future-ready connectivity in medical and industrial applications.

Seamless Compliance, Lasting Reliability

For integrators and healthcare providers, compliance should simplify system deployment and not slow it down. The Digi Connect® EZ WS is engineered for fast setup, reliable operation, and minimal maintenance, all while ensuring full compliance with medical safety standards.

Combined with Digi LifeCycle Assurance, the solution includes one year of 24/7 expert support, regular security updates, and a five-year warranty for ensuring long-term protection for your investment.

Conclusion

In modern healthcare environments, IEC 60601 compliance extends beyond medical devices — it covers the systems that connect and power them. Through its partnership with Digi International, BRESSNER Technology delivers secure, compliant, and scalable connectivity solutions that meet the rigorous demands of medical and industrial applications.

When patient safety, performance, and reliability align, healthcare networks become stronger, smarter, and safer.

👉 Learn more about the Digi Connect® EZ WS
👉 Download the datasheet for technical specifications and compliance details.