[Networking Experience of Point-of-Care Test Glucometer.].

BACKGROUND: Clinical laboratories are selecting total solutions to point-of-care test (POCT) by handling all aspects of information management ranging from the ordering of the test to the reporting of verified results. Today, many POCT devices can be directly connected to the laboratory information system (LIS) via data management system (DMS). We report here our experience with the networking of POCT glucometers.

METHODS: We set up computerization of POCT glucometer (Precision PCx, Abbott, USA) in August, 2004 and established a quality control (QC) system for the portable glucometers on 16 wards in Chung-Ang University Hospital. Precision of the glucometers was assessed by performing 28 replicate tests using quality control specimens containing 5 different glucose concentrations. Turnaround time (TAT) was calculated from the data of 17,796 glucose tests performed during a 5-month period in 2004 before computerization of the glucometers and 31,513 tests performed during the same 5-month period of 2005 after computerization.

RESULTS: In the precision study, within-run and total-run CVs were within 10%. With the networking of POCT glucometers, the TAT from the collection of specimen to the specimen receipt to the LIS was 28.5+/-17.2 min compared to 43.6+/-17.5 without the networking (P<0.0001). A staff satisfaction survey received a high score (88%) for an overall satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS: This device significantly expands the data management and networking capabilities of the bedside glucometer. Networking technology should allow for a centralized quality control management.