Precision-PCx

Last year Abbott Diagnostics introduced a new portable whole blood testing system, the Precision PCx for the point of care (POC) diagnostics market. Abbott also has a data management system that supports the Precision PCx.

After completing bedside testing, nurses can simply place the Precision PCx™ meter into the optional docking station and the results will be uploaded automatically via Precision Net to the QC Manager Point-of-Care Data Management System and then to the LIS and/or the HIS.

Early connectivity solutions in a product category have a lot of latitude - end users have little or no previous experience, and early adopters don't worry about too many point solutions cluttering up their environments. As vendors add more sophisticated features - a wireless radio for the Precision PCx comes to mind - vendors may unintentionally obsolete previously released technology. And as the market matures, market requirements start to evolve.

The POC diagnostics market is starting to shape up like previous medical device market segments. A few vendors will get it right, and many will end up spending much more time and money getting to market then they anticipated. Early adopter hospitals will also fall into the lucky (or smart) few and the many that face unanticipated costs and other problems.

Pictured right is the Abbott Precision PCx.