Home Forums Discussions General Discussion V11 and Midmark

Who else relies on the interface for Midmark devices?

If I am understanding this message in V11 release notes correctly we must wait to upgrade:

Does anybody know if this will be ready before the SCRIPT mandate deadline?

We have a Midmark ECG and did the update because tech support said they had additional software ready to install after, to make the ECG interface (V11.1.2 plus midmark install). HOWEVER, when we did the install, it didn’t work and were told to contact Midmark to complete the connection.
After speaking with Midmark, they said we needed to pay them over $500 plus upgrade to Windows Pro per computer to continue to use the ECG or print old ECGs. We are locked out at the moment from these imports and trying to get AC and Midmark to correct this issue.

That’s so surprising that AC said they could make it work, but they couldn’t.

Does Midmark mean it will cost $500 total to upgrade each computer to Windows Pro and then issue a patch? That’s almost as much as a new PC!

Thank you for the warning, I won’t be upgrading yet.

Please keep us updated on the resolution.

$500 per computer for the midmark connection, plus the window update to Pro ($199 I think).
We agree, it is very unusual for AC to do this but we are now caught between 2 companies saying “its the other one’s responsibility.”
If anyone else has a fix (or a way we can get our old ECGs printed atleast), let us know.

That's frustrating.
I can't say whether the Pro version of Windows is really required but FYI, you can upgrade for $99 through the Windows store or use older (windows 7/8) Pro keys to upgrade for free. link

@Mark, is there any confirmation about this from AC? I was under the impression that AC just needed to update the installer with Midmark's latest SDKs, and this would be covered by our annual Support fee.

This is an excerpt from my conversation with Tech support:

Customer [011] (15:27:13):
All your interfaces have ala carte interface fees

Rebecca (15:29:46):
Right, unfortunately this change doesn't come from us. Midmark updated their software and needed us to use this new Midmark software. Unfortunately there's nothing more I can do, Midmark charges for this now, it's not something we made a decision about.

Customer [011] (15:30:31):
Midmark said they made the change 3 YEARS AGO.
Customer [011] (15:30:43):
the system worked fine until YOUR update

Rebecca (15:30:55):
Okay there's nothing I can do for you
Rebecca (15:31:04):
You need to contact them, they are changing for this


I had hoped she would say, "don't worry, we are working on this and should have a solution in 2 weeks".

Instead I got, talk to Midmark.

Midmark wants $500 per machine to update. They say it will take 3 hours, per machine, to make the connection.
Their other option is to install their proprietary software
$200 software
$30/year support fees
$175 install fee (not waivable)

I can put the full transcript on here if you like

We cannot access any old ECG's now.
They can only be viewed with the Midmark software.

(I don't think HIPAA allows companies to demand a $405 ransom for access to my own records. However, with Midmark and Amazing Charts blaming each other, I don't see a good path with them.)

We are getting an old version of Amazing Charts and using a back up, so we can pdf the old ekgs and import them.

After that, we will be using a stand-alone ECG system.
I will never use another Amazing Charts interface.

I would love for a Moderator to view this and tell me I'm wrong.

Remind me that I have been paying a Midmark interface fee for many years and the sole purpose was to maintain this interface.
Amazing Charts would never collect fees and do absolutely nothing.

Comfort me with the knowledge that they have been hard at work and the solution is mere days away.

Moderator?

Thanks for sharing Denslo.
This just gave me a headache.

What! That can’t be possible.

As you pointed out, do we no longer need to pay the Midmark interface fee?
Is this no longer going to be a AC-to-Midmark interface?

Hi Denslo,

This board is maintained by USERS of AC with no connection to the company, and usually no inside information at all.

So we have no information about this.

Sorry

Gene

barcafan1990- thanks for the upgrade info, I must have pulled up the starting price and not upgrade.

We were able to restore a backup to an older version and saved all the prior ECGs as pdfs to import to the newest version. Took hours to do it (still a few more to go) but we didn’t lose anything. Now, we wait and see if we can eventually connect our current unit or if we will need a new EKG.

Sorry.
Thank you for the info.

Amazing Charts has indicated that they will no longer be doing support of the interface and that all concerns should be directed to Midmark.

I assume they would discontinue the interface fee at some point, if people notice.

Denslo, did you have Midmark install the new software?

They are quoting us 3 hours at $175/hr but that seems excessive. We have just 2 providers.

Does anybody know if the install actually takes that long?

I may be one of the firsts to have attempted end-to-end Midmark interface installation for our ECG machine but hit a brick wall now. Please read below of the issues one has to overcome:
1. Need to install AC 11.1.2 as it has the latest SDK for Midmark
2. After the upgrade we lost viewing capability of all our past ECG results. I was under the impression once we get the updated Midmark interface from Midmark we may regain access to past ECG results as well as capture new ECG test. Towards that goal:
a. We upgraded OS to Windows Pro from Windows Home as this is required per Midmrak for their licensing verification.
b. Bought 3 hrs of installation and one year of support 3X$175.00 + $30 for a total of $555.00.
c. Midmark tech installed their Interface today at 1:30PM, 8/3/21 and still it is not working either for capturing or viewing results.
d. Midmark is asserting the latest Midmark interface is not either there in AC 11.1.2 or not activated.
e. Sent SOS to AC tech support from 1PM CST on 8/3/21 and still no response from AC tech support

The net is we are out of commission for our ECG operation. AC 11.1.2 is otherwise working fine.

If anyone has successfully installed Midmark Interface and got the ECG going with AC v 11.1.2 please share the missing piece here.


Thanks
Aramiz
Houston TX

Thank you for sharing, Aramiz.
I was planning to do the same upgrade this Friday but worried now. I was under the same impression that past ECGs would be fully accessible with the new Midmark interface. Just as importantly, why isn't it able to capture new ECGs!

Has AC Support been able to fix this yet?

Hi
No AC has not addressed the issue yet. I did receive an email yesterday from AC that they are looking into it.

You may at least wait a bit until we get out of ditch and leverage the learning experience.


Thanks
Aramiz
Houston TX

First off, both Amazing Charts (AC) and Midmark support staff have been very supportive and responsive to our cause. Hats off to them.

Following the deployment of AC Midmark installation file we received from AC, we are not able to capture ECG test results in a controlled environment.

We can not however read the ECG file when saved to a patient chart on the same computer where the ECG result was captured. Likewise we cant not read any of the old ECG files, captured before the transition to AC v 11.1.2.

So reading the ECG files old or new is the last open item for our practice since the upgrade.


Thanks
Aramiz
Houston TX

Hi Aramiz,
I am a little confused from your last post.

Are you able to review old ECGs?
Are you able to create, sign off, and review new ECGs?

Negative on both.

We can now only capture new ECGs. We can not review old Midmark ECG files nor can review and signoff once the new Midmrak ECG file is posted to a patient chart.

Hope this helps.

Thanks
Aramiz

Wow, that is incredible. I hope they both get you taken care of ASAP.

FWIW, my Midmark representative stated that their new interface is capable of reviewing old ECG results.

Out of curiosity, how are you setting up the Midmark software?
I understand there is a licensing server component that must be installed on a PC connected to the internet and LAN.
Also there is the new IQConnect component that must be installed on any PC where ECGs will be performed or signed off on.
Do you have the licensing software installed on the AC main computer and the IQconnect component on client PCs?

License verification is installed only on the same computer connected to the ECG device. That is where the Windows 10 Pro requirement comes in for Midmark.

As far as the v10 Midmark Interface installation on the ECG computer , their support rep did it for us since we paid up for 3 hrs of installation support.

We have not installed the licensing on the server yet or any other client computer. We shall explore the best path forward only after we get over our current issue -- being able to read Midmark ECG files old or new using the client computer Midmark ECG device is connected to.



Aramiz
Houston TX

Have you tried uninstalling the older AmazingChartsMidmark drivers from programs and features?

Yes, as I stated before we have two tech support staff from both companies on the case, helping us install, debug etc.


Aramiz
Houston TX

I just completed the self upgrade of AC from 10.0.2 to v11.1.2 very seamlessly (about 30 minutes, including making prior backups).

The nightmare was upgrading the Midmark interface. Midmark assisted me for 1.5 hours and left me with an "emergency license!"
However, I did get it working by myself, hours later. The issue in our case was that the workstations were not able to communicate with the Licensing server (the component installed on the AC main computer).

The solution was to open up TCP ports Open TCP incoming ports 27500, 445, and 1859 on the Licensing server.
I dont know if this is officially all that is needed because the Midmark Implementation Specialist didn't have time to troubleshoot this with me. I have the 2nd half of the 3hour appointment scheduled for Monday afternoon!

Which leads me to my warning for any fellow Midmark users. When you're booked with their Implementation specialist, they send your Calendly link for you to book your appt. Well, schedule yourself 2 bookings back to back. I didn't realize the booking I made was only for 1.5 hours. So 1.5 hours into our appt, Midmark told me they had to go and I could book another 1.5 hr appt (since we paid for 3 hrs). This is very upsetting to find this out.

I really wish I could give a better impression of Midmark but that is very unprofessional to leave a client hanging. I don't mean to be critical; I just want others to have a better experience. I'm glad AC support has never told me "they had to go because they had another client waiting to meet with them."

Hi Josue,

Glad you got it working!

Wish I could say that this is the first time I've heard of a company that doesn't know what ports have to be open on the firewall and router.

But it's the first time that I've heard of one that charges money for not knowing how to install their own program.

Yikes!

Cheers,

Carl Fogel

I agree. I even requested them from Midmark 2 days prior and he said he wasn't sure. When I asked if he could find out, I didn't get a response.

It is completely understandable not to know something. I get that, but personally I would ask around to find out.

Not sure if I am allowed to post in the group but AC is working on a Beta Midmark interface for V11 and I have been using it. It has issues but is getting better.

Thanks for sharing Naeem. Does it obviate the need for having additional Midmark software and their licenses, separate from the ones AC provides?

Out of curiosity, how did you get the beta?

For the record, Midmark v10 interface is working fine now that its configured correctly.

I have been a V11 Beta site since last year. I did have to purchase Midmark licenses and pay for the support to have them configured. It is a lot of work to install both softwares and configure them correctly on all the PCs.

Update from my end, a Clinic in Houston, TX, after almost a month following my Midmark upgrade for V11 we are still having issues.

Bought Midmark support for 3 hrs . I have consumed only for 1.5hrs and it is not working for what I bought the service for.

All of these interoperability issues between Midmark and AC now and who knows what will pop up 3 years from now when MSFT upgrades the OS from Window10 -- are prompting me to think a standalone EKG machines may be the safer route here .

Thoughts!


Kudos to Josue how you got viewing ECG files from each workstation working by having the workstation communicate with the licensing server. I can do that let alone do it on the ECG machine the test was done.

Thanks
aramiz

I am very excited to report the Midmark viewing issue is now finally resolved using a new MidMark AC install file delivered by Amazing Chart.
I recognize the commitment and effort from AC towards the closure of this issue.

If I could get the same level of support from Midmark if at least they holding my hand and providing periodic update that the team is committed to providing a resolution, I would have felt lot better.

This is against a backdrop of when I bought committed support from Midmark !!

Thanks
Aramiz

Yay I'm glad it's working for you now!