New Handheld Base Unit for CoaguChek XS Plus System Enables Connectivity to RALS-Plus Data Management Solution for PT/INR Testing at the Poi...( Centralized control of anticoagulati...),Health

Centralized control of anticoagulation meters and data can help healthcare providers decrease costs and improve care for patients on warfarin therapy

INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted approval for the new Handheld Base Unit for the CoaguChek(R) XS Plus System, which provides connectivity between the anticoagulation meter and the RALS(R)-Plus data management system and enables hospital networks to easily capture, access and manage essential patient, operator and quality data for point-of-care PT/INR (clotting time) testing.

The connectivity capability with RALS-Plus allows for network-wide data management and bi-directional data transfer with anticoagulation meters, which can help point of care (POC) coordinators and others ensure the accuracy of patient records and improve the safety of patients on blood-thinning medications, such as Coumadin(R) (warfarin). The reporting and device management capabilities of RALS-Plus can also help hospital staff streamline the regulatory compliance process, capture reimbursable costs, and improve their organizational efficiency.

When the CoaguChek XS Plus System is docked in the optional Handheld Base Unit, it seamlessly transfers data to the RALS-Plus system through the hospital's information network. The bi-directional data transfer capability allows POC coordinators or other staff to configure individual meter settings from a central location. It also gives them convenient control and management of quality and safety features like operator lockout (to help ensure compliance with certification requirements) and quality control lockouts.

"With the growing influence of Pay for Performance and other quality-based initiatives in healthcare, hospitals are looking for data management solutions to help them reduce costs and improve patient care," said Brian Gunderson, Director of Product Portfolio Management at Medical Automation Systems, which develo
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