Point of Care : Connectivity

EKF Link

EKF Link: Connectivity at the point-of-care 


Connect all of your analyzers on one software platform

EKF Link is a middleware solution for healthcare providers to manage their Point of Care analyzers and the generated data on one centralized platform.  

EKF Link is a flexible, open solution that can be interfaced to most vendor’s Point of Care analyzer to permit the real-time management of data including patient test results, QC results, operator management and analyser configuration.

EKF Link enables the transfer of data from the analyzer to the hospital or laboratory database for subsequent processing.

 

EKF Link allows medical professionals to:

  • Maintain an electronic data repository for all point-of-care tests
  • Integrate patient test results with the laboratory or hospital information system
  • Maintain QC records for all analyzers
  • Perform a comprehensive search of all records
  • Print patient test reports
  • Record and track QC data
  • Manage operators and monitor compliance of device usage and device certifications
  • Provide a long-term storage system without the requirement for archiving

EKF Link provides hospitals, labs and GP with the functionality to manage and evaluate their patient and user data easily and securely.

 

EKF Link's key features are:

EKF-Link-device-2

Instrument management

  • Use additional features of instrument (e.g. QC lockout)
  • Remote configuration
EKF-Link-Test-results

Test results and QC management

  • Chart view
  • Table view
EKF-Link-data

Operator management

EKF-Link-report

Report management

  • CSV and PDF
  • Personalized reports
EKF-Link-alarm

Alarm management

EKF-Link-LIS

Connect to LIS and HIS

 

EKF Link is a flexible and open data management solution

EKF Link Who is it for

One solution for multiple situations

EKF Link has been designed by IT Solution engineers working alongside hospital POC Managers to provide users with a single, comprehensive yet flexible platform.

EKF Link’s simple set-up, intuitive interface and user-friendly graphics enable effective utility in GP offices, pharmacies, laboratories, hospitals and blood banks. There are no barriers to where and how EKF Link can be implemented.

EKF Link can be installed on a PC (Windows or Apple) or a server allowing access to authorized users anywhere at any time.

 

Scaleable software

EKF Link has been designed to allow the addition of more analyzers as and when they are required. Link works with devices from other manufacturers as well as all those in the EKF range.

 

Upgrade today

EKF Link is available to connect any of the following EKF Diagnostics devices** to a LIMS or HIS/EMR:

Link also works with the following devices from other manufacturers:

microINR from iLine

 

 

EKF Link how it works

** Not all products are available in all countries

Data for connected health

Connectivity explained


 

Hemo-Control-Hemoglobin-analyzer-2-step

1. Perform a patient or QC test on an POC analyzer.                                                        

ekf-link-step-2

2. Upload and manage every patient’s care pathway. 
 

ekf-link-step-3.jpg

3. Send patient and QC test results to the LIS and retrieve patient demographics.

Power-up your Point of Care diagnostics

Give your Point of Care devices super powers by connecting them using EKF Link. With just a few clicks an analyzer can capture patient information, run QC, lock-out unauthorized users and send information into a LIMS system. And that's not all:

  • Configure all of your devices from a central location
  • Operator and report management functions
  • Automated transfer data minimizes the risk of transcription error

 

EKF-Link-device

Standalone

Allows users to send test results with time stamp to LIMS

EKF-Link-Instrument-Management

Instrument Management

Set instrument configuration remotely

Create and assign designated location to instrument

EKF-Link-ID-Management

ID Management

Operator Management allowing only certified operators to use the analyser

EKF-Link-Other-features

Other features include

Additional workflow available

Report management with the ability to create PDF and CSV reports

 

 

EKF-Link-connectivity

New connectivity features


 

Feature Advantage
Safe and secure Integrated Device Connector Connect multiple Point of Care analyzers securely and easily to LIMS/EMR
Maximum flexibility Advanced architecture

Host on your laptop or server. Your data, your choice!

Data is accessible from most web browser using security protocol without the need to install an additional module

Test integrity Patient and QC management

Review tests in tables and charts

Check results

Add comments

Traceability Operator management Automatically lock out users who are not correctly certified to reduce the risk of errors and to meet strict regulatory and quality requirements
Visibility Instrument management

Manage your analyzers remotely

Check the status of individual analyzers
Archive Report management Export test results as PDF or CSV files

 

 

 

Hear from our customers


'Connectivity of POCT devices is becoming more important to ensure results are auditable, safeguarding staff and patients. The EKF Link is very easy to use, requires very limited training, with the software being very intuitive. The design and layout is aesthetically pleasing which allows you to easily navigate through the software. EKF Link has helped our clinicians to check on patient results in real time during clinics as results become available from our connected devices, and plotted on a patient timeline, in graphic and tabular form.

EKF Link requires very little interaction on a daily basis as connectivity between the POCT devices and software is automatic. It allows us to maintain quality over results through user management, the need for mandatory patient demographic entry, and quality control lock out features. We are in the process of interfacing the EKF Link to our electronic patient record, as well as exploring other features within EKF Link, including material management to control the batch of reagent and QC available to the end-users.

We are also in the process of interfacing additional POCT devices with EKF Link which I have found to be a very easy and quick process during the installation. I have been extremely impressed with the support available from the EKF Link team, who are fast to respond to queries, are always happy to hear feedback on the software and have worked alongside us to make changes, and add new features to meet our needs.’


Gary Dewey
AP Chemistry/ULH POCT Coordinator – Pathology, Grantham Hospital

‘EKF Link is an outstanding data management system at Point Of Care in the Hospital setting. In our Trust we have connected a number of POCT devices and in turn safe guarding our staff and patients in line with MHRA guidance on the use of POCT devices.

EKF Link is easy to use and intuitive at every stage. All our connected POCT devices have IQC lock out predefined by POCT, lot number control of consumables & IQC material, barcoded operator ID’s, patient demographics set as mandatory inputs at point of care.

All results are electronically transmitted from the device to EKF Link and takes are in place with the Trust to activate these in the electronic patient record. In the meantime the results are available to view in EKF Link in easy to use patient result screens, displaying graphs, all on a particular patient across all the devices and over the lifetime of the patient testing.

EKF Link has made life simple and easy at point of care and we are now exploring connecting 3rd party devices to the platform.’


Ms Terri Robinson BSc (Hons)
Specialist Biomedical Scientist – Point of Care Testing Co-ordinator, ULH Pan Trust

Frequently asked questions about EKF Link