PTS Data Collection Case Study
Background About PTS Polymer Technology Systems, Inc. was founded in 1992. It is a global provider of point-of-care diagnostic products to the healthcare industry and develops diagnostic tests for chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and other related medical conditions. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, PTS, Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets products for distribution in over 120 countries around the world. The company has sales offices in Europe, Latin America and the Pacific Rim. PTS, Inc. products include A1CNow+ Multi-test A1C System, A1CNow SELFCHECK At-Home A1C System products and the CardioChek PA point-of-care instrument which is marketed to the professional diagnostics industry, the CardioChek cholesterol analyzer for consumer use, and now the new CardioChek Plus analyzer. It offers a variety of single and combination tests for lipids (cholesterols), glucose, and ketones as well as the CardioChek Health Risk Assessment (HRA) software package. Key Objectives Data Integrity Maintain test results of users User friendly data collection process 2
The Need PTS was using an old desktop application built in Delphi for interaction with their meters using a serial port. This created a lot of delay while receiving the data as concurrent access to the system was limited and as the evaluation of the data received was done at the later stage, storage of the data in one location was also a major concern. The CardioCheck is a portable device and is convenient to use, to calculate and display the test result the device has a MEMO Chip within it. The users have to connect this device to the internet through a data cable to store their current test results in one place and for any future reference. PTS wanted to modernize this application by adding some new features. Their requirement was to create a New Workspace, and also to maintain the data collected from the CardioCheck meter by implementing the PTS Data Collection Application. This application should be able to collect data from up to 20 meters (similar meters) simultaneously. The collected data can be stored in an excel format as well as in a text file. Received data must be stored in a log file for tracking purposes. Challenges Providing separate panel for giving command to device To add extra field CHEM4 with subfields (Time4, namps, Conc4) in excel sheet Remove COM Port option from Serial Port Settings window Displaying 4 columns for Patient ID in reference editor 3
Our Approach Functions of PTS Data Collection are categorized as: The users of the CardioChek meters have the option to store their test results in the PTS Data Collection Application. They will have to install the software provided by the company to store their data, no login is required. The meters can be connected to the system through a data cable, after the user clicks on the button present on the device; the device is recognized and the data transmission takes place. This data is stored in the PTS Data Collection Application, and is accessible to the user for future reference. PTS Data Collection application allows to create new Workspace as well as maintain data from the CardioChek Meters Collected data can be stored in an excel format as well as in a text file. All meters must be connected to workstation on the appropriate COM Port before starting the study. User can start as well as stop running the processes. Tools/ Technologies.NET 4.0 (C#) MS Office 4
Key Benefits to Client Through this implementation, we added some significant values to the client. Some of the key benefits to our clients: Faster data retrieval Increased data storage capacity Application can collect data up to 20 meters of the same type simultaneously Simple installation of the system Provides user friendly and semi-automated means of collecting data from the CardioCheck meter 5
Start Application Update/change file name of workspace using new sub menu item Fill necessary details to make serial port settings Click Start button to start Data collection process Enter Patient ID in given field before starting the process If error occurs during process then click Stop button to stop process manually Click Rerun button to again start the same process Click Rerun Comment button to write reason for rerun Click Finish & Reset button to edit reference value of Patient ID and reports get generated Click Close to exit from application 6
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