Connectivity for Point-of-Care Glucose Testing Reduces Error and Increases Compliance

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.