Use of connectivity for managing point-of-care testing results

Connectivity encompasses the electronic capture of test results from a POCT device and the transfer of those results to a local computer, systems databases or electronic medical records. The introduction of an international connectivity standard in 2002 helped to provide the framework for engineers to design devices and work station interfaces that allowed multiple types of POCT devices to communicate bidirectionally with data management systems or laboratory information systems. For connectivity to be successful, the set-up process must be seamless, reliable and involve both clinical and technical professional staff. Attributes of a connectivity solution should allow control and management of all aspects of remote POCT, from quality control, calibration and maintenance protocols through to result validation, and include training records for all certified operators, POCT site accounts and workload statistics, a complete audit trail and traceability of testing pathways for individual POCT sites.