Our patients must be able to rely on searches and registry-to-registry communication being executed promptly and correctly at all times. This means a streamlined process to exchange information related to the search, verification, and work-up process for suitable unrelated grafts of hematopoietic stem cells, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
The global community of registries is moving to a centralised solution (Match-Connect) to facilitate the communication between registries and has decided not to invest anymore in the EMDIS connections and to retire EMDIS at the end of 2027.
The centralised solution currently in development aims to lower the barrier for registries to connect with their peers. The WMDA has made significant investments to offer the Match-Connect solution, which provides the following benefits for its members:
The membership community aims to add functionalities such as cord blood requests, Health Availability Check, and Work-Up. The Match-Connect solution will automate manual tasks like data entry, reduce the workload for search coordinators, and shorten the timeline for patients to receive transplants.
Registries can customise the solution to fit local preferences, optimising the adoption process and enhancing patient care.
Search & Match Service:
Match-Connect
EMDIS (European Marrow Donor Information System)
Search coordinators have different ways of connecting with international registries. This can be through EMDIS or through a manual, administrative process (fax, email). EMDIS is based on older technology and is not compliant with modern security and privacy standards. However, the non-EMDIS process requires several manual steps, which is labour intensive and prone to error.
While EMDIS is operating relatively smoothly, the global community of registries decided to develop a centralised solution (Match-Connect) that aims:
Match Connect is series of connectors (APIs) that will allow comparable search, match and communication capabilities currently available through EMDIS 3.
Logical implementation: the APIs need to be implemented chronologically starting with the Patient API. The Search API can't be used without the Patient API and the Connect API cannot be used without the Search API. Customised implementation pathways for registries that receive the download and for cord blood banks have been developed.
Physical implementation: the implementation of the APIs do not guidelines for the end-users graphical user interface (GUI) because the APIs will need to be implemented at the back-end of the registry internal system.
There are therefore two options:
Data security is paramount in Match-Connect to safeguard sensitive patient and donor information. The following requirements must be met:
Security
Operational
EMDIS registries
The transition process requires handling open requests and patient cases carefully to avoid duplication, with the introduction of an embedded patient block for continuity. For former EMDIS users, legacy requests must be completed within EMDIS, while new ones transition to Match-Connect, requiring synchronisation of address data and registry systems to manage parallel communication channels during the transition phase.
non-EMDIS registries
To connect your local registry system to Match-Connect, ensure your registry system is compatible with the technical standards described in the Match-Connect Semantics. This includes data formats, communication protocols, and security measures. Your system should have the necessary software and hardware capabilities to handle the integration, which may involve upgrades or new installations.
Registries with the global file download, Donor Centres, Donor-only registries, cord blood banks
Registries with the global file download, donor centres, donor-only registries and cord blood banks have access to a comprehensive range of services including the WMDA Patient API, WMDA Search API, and WMDA Connect API. You benefit from a reduced implementation effort since you only need to implement a limited number of endpoints related to patient services, allowing you to focus on donor and cord blood unit management.
Transplant Centres, Labs (only performing searches, no requests)
Transplant centres with access to WMDA Search & Match Service can use the WMDA Patient API and the WMDA Search API. All donor/CBU request functionality available in the Connect API is only accessible through your affiliated national registry.
The transition and implementation plan outlines a timeline for implementing Match-Connect and migrating away from EMDIS. Spanning from mid-2024 to early 2028, the plan involves phased API implementation and EMDIS connection transitions. Key milestones include completing Match-Connect implementation, achieving critical mass in adoption of Match-Connect, and ultimately retiring EMDIS. Early adopters aim to complete API implementation by late 2025, while others extend into mid-2026. The ultimate goal is to fully transition all organisations to Match-Connect and retire EMDIS by the end of 2027, ensuring a seamless and efficient changeover.
Gift of Life “We found implementing a Match-Connect interface to MatchQuest, our registry management system, to be straightforward and with no issues. Total development time for building the necessary base classes in our system was around 10 days.” – Rafi Freudenberger |
Canadian Blood Services “Implementation of the Patient and Search APIs and elimination of our local search algorithm have stream-lined the search process and simplified system infrastructure, resulting in personnel and system efficiencies, reduced chance of data entry error, faster times to identify potential matches for patients in need, and cost savings. Our upcoming implementation of the Connect API will prepare us to communicate with all other registries in an effective, efficient, and secure way using modern technology, and ensures continued electronic communications with current partners when EMDIS is obsolete. We have no doubt that the up-front efforts to implement this change will be far out-weighed by the long-term benefits.” – Janet Parks |
Matchis “At Matchis we feel a sense of urgency to implement Match Connect. Our experience as one of the early adopters, working in the test environment, has convinced us that this centralized approach significantly expands the donor selection horizon, improves efficiency and provides a firm basis to comply with donor privacy and data security regulations.” – Jaap Dijkman |
DKMS “Match-Connect allows you to see all donors at a glance and saves time for your patients while reducing errors by automatically synchronizing patient data and search results.” – Stefanie Wehner |
DATRI “WMDA is a community to help and support each other and the API project is a very good example of the same. There is documentation on what needs to be done, support offered with frequent meetings and a team ready to answer any queries and clarification the registry might require. But, the work needs to be done by each registry – hence each registry should have the required IT and technical people at their end. The API once implemented (in each stage) reduces the manual intervention of the search coordinators and makes their work more efficient and reduces chance of error. However, each registry needs to collaborate between their business rules and the technical requirements of the registry software and the API.” – Sumati Misra |
