POINT-OF-CARE SPECIALIST CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

COURSE INFORMATION

Integrating a POCT device into a health care system can be challenging at best. This course focuses on connectivity issues and opportunities associated with POCT device use. It addresses the increased importance of proper patient identification and operator tracking using bar-coded applications and explores the complexities of data flow and how it impacts POCT information management.

• The course is open September 1, 2009–August 31, 2010
• Enrollment is open June 1, 2009–May 31, 2010

COURSE DETAILS

This course covers the following topics:

• Device and host communications overview
• Setting up the system
• Connectivity
• Billing, LIS, HIS and electronic medical record (EMR)
• Scripted versus health level seven (HL7) interfaces including admission/discharge/transfer (ADT) interfaces
• Infrared (IR) and wireless technologies

COURSE OBJECTIVES

 The learner will be able to:

• Detail the mechanism for getting patient and operator identification information into the POCT devices. 
• Describe the data flow from the POCT device into the final patient data repository (electronic medical record or EMR). Include various different solutions and their strengths/weaknesses.
• Discuss the types of POC bi-directional and uni-directional information outputs.
• Address the interfaces to LIS vs. HIS vs. EMR.  What are the differences and why do sites choose different configurations of each.
• Compare and contrast the HL7 and scripted interface solutions.  Include the ADT feed and how this can affect both types of interfaces.