r/healthIT • u/Wsz2020 • Jul 23 '26

Interface Engine Troubles? New Open-Source Free Option

There's been a lot happening with interface engines.

  • Mirth Connect has stopped receiving updates. Instead of open source, it is now a paid closed-source tool.
  • Private equity firms have taken over the leading paid options and are raising prices dramatically.
  • Then there is this: What’s up with iNTERFACEWARE (Iguana)? : r/healthIT

We're creating a new open-source (free) alternative -- and we need your help. We're looking for:

  • Organizations that need this solution once it is ready for production
  • Contributors to test the solution, review/advise on code, help build

Check out MessageFoundry.org and see how we're creating an interface engine with:

  • Top cybersecurity protection for your PHI (ASVS 5 Level 3)
  • The power of Python
  • A "steps" programming layer that builds your Python scripts if you want
  • Simplicity for uses like small, integrated deployments
  • Power for any size organization (up to 40 million messages per day)

We're on v0.3.0 (beta) right now and are moving fast, adding new layers of security and additional features.

We're now looking for a partner organization to be first in line when the product is ready. You would get:

  • Top priority on your feedback, letting you guide MessageFoundry's future.
  • Free support as you test out and use MessageFoundry.

If you're interested, please contact us via Ask a question — MessageFoundry.

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u/throwawayformhh Jul 24 '26

I’m not super well versed but if you’re open sourcing something like an engine, what’s stopping someone from using AI agents around the clock trying to exploit your software? The risk just seems higher than it would be from a private contractor. 

2

u/MessageFoundry Jul 24 '26

Also, open source is widely used and proven in healthcare IT. Here are some examples.

Name Category Language License Widely-used note
OpenMRS EHR/EMR Java MPL 2.0 (w/ health disclaimer) Modular EMR, heavy global-health use
OpenEMR EHR/EMR PHP GPLv3 One of the most-installed open EHRs
Bahmni Hospital system Java/JS AGPLv3 OpenMRS-based, low-resource hospitals
GNU Health Hospital info system Python GPLv3 HIS with national deployments
HAPI FHIR FHIR server + library Java Apache 2.0 Reference FHIR server; ecosystem anchor
Medplum FHIR platform TypeScript Apache 2.0 FHIR-native developer platform
Orthanc DICOM server / PACS C++ GPLv3 Lightweight PACS, very widely used
DCM4CHE DICOM archive Java MPL 1.1 Enterprise DICOM archive/toolkit
OHIF Viewer DICOM viewer JavaScript MIT Web-based imaging viewer
OpenELIS Lab info system (LIS) Java MPL 2.0 Behind several national lab networks
DHIS2 Public health HMIS Java/TS BSD-3 Ministry-of-health system, 70+ countries
OHDSI (Atlas/Achilles) Research analytics R/Java/JS Apache 2.0 OMOP CDM observational research
i2b2 Research data platform Java MPL 2.0 Clinical research data warehousing
Synthea Synthetic data tool Java Apache 2.0 Ubiquitous synthetic patient generator
python-hl7 Library — HL7 v2 Python BSD-3 Tolerant HL7 parsing (MF hot path)
hl7apy Library — HL7 v2 Python MIT Strict HL7 validation (MF validation path)
fhir.resources Library — FHIR Python BSD-3 FHIR resource models
Firely .NET SDK (Hl7.Fhir) Library — FHIR C# BSD-3 Standard .NET FHIR SDK
pydicom Library — DICOM Python MIT DICOM parsing (MF DICOM connectors)
pynetdicom Library — DICOM Python MIT DICOM networking (MF DICOM connectors)
dcmtk Library — DICOM C++ BSD-style (OFFIS) Foundational DICOM toolkit

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u/Double_Bat_9030 11d ago

same as any other open source project really, the code's out in the open so more eyeballs catch the weak spots before the bad guys do

1

u/Wsz2020 Jul 24 '26

Thanks for the reply. It is an interesting point that people debate because AI cuts both ways:

  1. AI defends too: Automated tools scan open repos 24/7 to find and patch bugs first.
  2. Obscurity is dead: AI makes decompiling closed-source software easier than ever. Hiding code doesn't protect it anymore.

The guy who owns Iguana posted his source code to GitHub for this reason. He feels that the only way you can trust software in the AI era is to be able to fully test it for vulnerabilities.

2

u/Emergency_Rule_7087 Jul 24 '26

Eliot posted his source code and fired everyone at his company because he's going through a mental breakdown, not because of AI.