Siemens Healthcare has released a major software upgrade for the RAPIDComm Data Management System (V5.0), an informatics solution to centrally manage Siemens in vitro diagnostics analyzers and operators at the point-of-care (POC). The upgrade includes support for the new RAPIDComm Web Application enabling management of blood gas analyzers from an iPad, as well as an interface to PEP (Personalized Education Plan) Administrator, Siemens web-based learning management system.1
“Point-of-care customers are typically responsible for keeping hundreds of devices spread throughout a hospital up and running, as well managing the training and secure instrument access for thousands of operators—all while delivering fast, reliable results,” said David Stein, Ph.D., CEO of the Point of Care business unit in the Diagnostics division of Siemens Healthcare. “With its new mobile access and functionality for centralized management of the operator recertification process, the upgraded RAPIDComm System helps our customers to better meet these challenges. This advances our ecosystem approach to managing POC testing.”
A POC Ecosystem approach takes into account the many interdependent components involved with hospital-based near-patient testing and focuses on improving the control, effectiveness and transparency of POC testing programs. The POC ecosystem consists of several core components, including device and operator management, quality control (QC), compliance reporting, competency management, inventory management, remote monitoring and mobile access.2
The latest version of the RAPIDComm System includes the RAPIDComm Web Application, which allows POC coordinators to quickly view the status of their POC instruments and troubleshoot issues from a handheld device. It even enables customers who manage blood gas analyzers to remotely view and control their instruments directly from an iPad, regardless of where they are located.
Another feature of the upgrade is an interface to PEP Administrator. This lets coordinators create and assign to instrument operators custom internet-based quizzes (e-quizzes), which must be successfully completed for training and certification. Further, the RAPIDComm System can then automatically recertify operators and centrally manage and download their IDs and passwords to the appropriate POC testing instruments, ensuring secure access. This feature can help POC coordinators reduce the manual steps involved with the operator certification process.
In addition, new Device Workload Reports help customers manage their consumable inventory by identifying the number of patient and quality control (QC) samples processed by their POC devices. Further, the new system helps record electronic reviews of patient and QC results and provides the ability to document instrument operator training and assessment information. This helps satisfy POC testing compliance requirements used by accrediting agencies such as the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization (JACHO).
Contact for journalists:
Susan Drew
Siemens Healthcare
Phone: +1 914-524-2844; E-mail: susan.drew@siemens.com
For further information on the Siemens RAPIDComm Data Management System, please visit: www.siemens.com/rapidcomm.
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The products/features (here mentioned) are not commercially available in all countries. Due to regulatory reasons their future availability cannot be guaranteed. Further details are available from the local Siemens organizations.
The Siemens Healthcare Sector is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry and a trendsetter in medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, medical information technology and hearing aids. Siemens offers its customers products and solutions for the entire range of patient care from a single source – from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, and on to treatment and aftercare. By optimizing clinical workflows for the most common diseases, Siemens also makes healthcare faster, better and more cost-effective. Siemens Healthcare employs some 52,000 employees worldwide and operates around the world. In fiscal year 2013 (to September 30), the Sector posted revenue of 13.6 billion euros and profit of 2.0 billion euros. For further information please visit: www.siemens.com/healthcare.
