Utilizing connectivity and data management system for effective quality management and regulatory compliance in point of care testing

Point of care testing (POCT) is one of the fastest growing disciplines in clinical laboratory medicine. POCT devices are widely used in both acute and chronic patient management in the hospital and primary physician office settings. As demands for POCT in various healthcare settings increase, managing the quality and regulatory compliance are continually challenging. Despite technological advances in applying automatic system checks and built-in quality control to prevent analytical and operator errors, poor planning for POCT connectivity and informatics can limit data accessibility and management efficiency which impedes the utilization of POCT to its full potential. This article will summarize how connectivity and data management system can improve timely access to POCT results, effective management of POCT programs, and ensure regulatory compliance.