New Siemens RAPIDComm System release delivers workflow innovation for point of care

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.*

“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.**

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).

For further information on the Siemens RAPIDComm Data Management System, please visit: www.siemens.com/rapidcomm

*PEP Administrator is not available for purchase in all countries. PEP Administrator is part of the company's Personalized Education Plan (PEP), the industry's first virtual, single source education solution for life-long learning.

**Gramz J, Koerte P, Stein D. Managing the Challenges in POC Testing: An Ecosystem Approach. Point of Care. The Journal of Near Patient Testing and Technology, 2013; 12(2): 76-79