A system and method for uniquely identifying data streams associated withmedical equipment are described. The system may be implemented in a variety ofways, including as a combination of a medical device (120), a data streamidentifier (204), and a medical device identifier (206). The medical device(120) generates a plurality of data streams. The data streams areuninterrupted transmissions of data from the medical device (120). The datastreams include information regarding the operation of the medical device(120). The data stream identifier (204) attaches a unique data tag to the datastreams. The medical device identifier (206) is configured to generate amedical device tag. The medical device tag includes information to uniquelyidentify the medical device (120) and is accessible from an external computer(108). The data stream identifier (204) and the medical device identifier(206) are secured to the medical device.
