Does This POC Test Talk to My EMR?

NEW YORK, NY, Nov 09 (MARKET WIRE) --
That's the question users of glucose monitors and other point-of-care
(POC) tests may ask, according to a leading healthcare market research
publisher. As wireless communication becomes standard in hospitals, it is
incumbent on the $12.9 billion worldwide market for POC test systems to
participate fully in this phenomenon. Connectivity is a high priority
issue in order for hospital POC testing and critical care device markets
to expand, according to the findings of "Point of Care Diagnostics 2010
and Beyond: Rapid Testing at a Crossroads," from healthcare market
research publisher Kalorama Information.

"On-the-spot access to patient information and care guidelines is part of
the healthcare quality imperative of the 21st century," notes Shara Rosen,
Kalorama Information's diagnostics analyst. "Cost reduction pressures and
the need for shortened in-patient stays are promoting the use of wireless
communication in and out of hospitals."

While the worldwide medical community is racing to embrace EMR and
telemedicine, most POC test devices currently have limited connectivity
capabilities and cannot participate. At this time all major lab-based
instruments interface automatically to an LIS or HIS system. However many
glucose monitors in hospital wards don't have this connectivity capability
and so they don't become part of a patient's EMR. The same applies to
almost all pregnancy and urinalysis tests performed in the hospital but
outside the laboratory.

Within today's hospital environment of limited resources, cost pressures,
decentralized patient information, staggering investment in new
technologies and increased regulatory scrutiny, healthcare is more
challenging than ever before. POC testing is poised to provide a solution
to some of these economic pressures. But without first-class connectivity
solutions, POC testing cannot provide the expected benefits in improved
patient care that will lead to cost reductions.

"Any manufacturers who want to make their POC products incredibly valuable
should make sure they can link up with major EMR systems," says Rosen.

Beyond the connectivity issue, the next frontier is continuous monitoring
of patients in acute care and in selected treatment areas such as
dialysis, intensive care and the OR. Also, as the number of POC tests
continues to grow, potential users will not want to learn to use a large
number of devices. Therefore, considerable research has been ongoing for
about a decade on a multipurpose POC platform that can run chemistries and
immunoassays.

Kalorama Information's "Point of Care Diagnostics 2010 and Beyond: Rapid
Testing at a Crossroads," provides an in-depth analysis of world markets
for OTC and professional POC tests. A review of technology and industry
trends, EMR connectivity, and healthcare reform, a breakdown of testing by
venue and test segment, and profiles of key companies are included. More
information is available at:
http://www.kaloramainformation.com/redirect.asp?progid=76261&productid=2403357.

About Kalorama Information

Kalorama Information supplies the latest in independent market research in
the life sciences, as well as a full range of custom research services. We
routinely assist the media with healthcare topics. Follow us on Twitter
(http://www.twitter.com/KaloramaInfo) and LinkedIn
(http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=2177845&trk=hb_side_g).

Please direct all media inquiries to:
Andrea Hiller
press@kaloramainformation.com
www.kaloramaInformation.com

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