A framework for secure integration of distributed point-of-care testing results into Electronic Medical Records

Point-of-care testing (POCT) data is inherently distributed in nature and, unfortunately, seldom make it to the patient's Electronic Medical Records due to privacy issues, lack of standards, lack of connectivity, and absence of industry standard protocols. A Health Level 7 (HL7) compliant, secure data communication infrastructure has been developed to replicate communication patterns commonly found in healthcare environments. This infrastructure is used to demonstrate how POCT results collected using mobile devices can be securely integrated with existing medical information systems. Such integration improves patient's care by making the results immediately available to the health care team, allowing for well-informed and effective clinical decisions.