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Case
Study...
Connectivity
for Point-of-Care Glucose Testing Reduces Error and Increases Compliance
Leana Salka,
MT(ASCP); Frederick L. Kiechle, MD, PhD
Point-of-care testing (POCT) is
a rapidly growing field that emphasizes timely results,
adherence to regulatory guidelines, as well as reducing cost.
Recently, the authors implemented POCT connectivity using the Remote
Automated Laboratory System (RALS-Plus), which linked 61
glucose testing sites, 120 glucose meters, and 2,686 operators
to a data management system. Also, the glucose meter was changed
from the Accu-Data GTS to the Accu-Chek Inform.
To determine the impact of
connectivity on the glucose POCT program, software features such
as operator lockout, quality control lockout, and the labor cost
for the POCT coordinator were evaluated for a period of 3 months
before and after its implementation.
Operator and quality control
lockout decreased nursing labor costs by $45.44 every 3 months
and POCT coordinator labor costs by $760.89 every 3 months. RALS
Plus software reduced the labor cost of managing the Inform
database. The POCT coordinator's labor cost to download updated
data manually from the laptop to the Accu-Data GTS was reduced
by $1,043.79.
RALS-Plus was interfaced
bidirectionally with the hospital information system. When the
Inform database is docked in the base unit, the results download
automatically using an infrared sensor to the hospital
information system, thus reducing clerical errors associated
with manual result entry and labor costs to nursing by
$32,627.90 every 3 months and to the POCT coordinator by $468.24
every 3 months.
In conclusion, POC
connectivity reduces user error, increases program compliance,
and decreases POCT coordinator and nursing costs. POC
connectivity resulted in a total annual cost savings of
$119,095.00.
Note:
This abstract is from an article that appeared in the June 2003
issue of "Point of Care - The Journal of Near-Patient
Testing & Technology", Volume 2, Number 2. For
more information and to subscribe to this publication please
visit http://www.poctjournal.com/.
To request a copy
of the complete article, please click
here.
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