Interface Specifications

There are two industry standard interfaces supported by the Sofia 2 Analyzer, ASTM and POCT1A. ASTM is the historical and widely used reference for the Interface built into every Sofia 2. ASTM stands for the American Society of Testing and Materials. The ASTM organization maintained the standard for Medical Device Interfaces for many years. The standard is now maintained and developed by CLSI, the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (formally NCCLS).

We still use the term ASTM when referring to the Sofia 2 interface because much of the industry does. Seasoned Lab Managers, LIS vendors and instrument software vendors are usually instantly familiar with the connection referred to as an “ASTM Interface.” When inquiring with an LIS vendor to ask if they can provide an interface for a Sofia 2, we suggest using the term ASTM interface.

A POCT1A interface is also built into every Sofia 2 Analyzer. This protocol is widely adopted for Point of Care Middleware systems. For Sofia 2, this interface protocol may be utilized by systems that support it, for receiving test and QC results, sending instrument operator lists and updating the current time and date in Sofia 2 analyzers. POCT1A stands for the Point-of-Care Connectivity Approved Standard. The standard is maintained and developed by CLSI, the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute.

Complete details on our implementation of the ASTM (CLSI) or POCT1A interfaces is found in our Sofia LIS Interface Specification our Sofia 2 LIS Interface Specification.