New Direct Connectivity Introduced for Proxima Patient Dedicated Arterial Blood Gas Analyzer

Sphere Medical, innovator in critical care monitoring and diagnostics equipment, has added new functionality to its Proxima patient dedicated arterial blood gas analyzer to allow direct connectivity to hospital information systems. This is crucial in the efficient management of patient data generated by the Proxima system and enables Point-of-Care Coordinators and other laboratory staff to remotely monitor the use and performance of this new analytical in-line system being used directly at the patient’s bedside.

The new enhancement ensures that all patient test data for blood gas and electrolyte measurements, as well as system quality control data, can be transferred via an Ethernet connection to the hospital information network. This direct data transfer uses the standard HL7 communication protocol format that is easily integrated into information management systems, such as the Laboratory Information System and electronic Patient Data Management Systems.

The CE marked Proxima supports proactive patient care, particularly at critical times, since it enables rapid and frequent measurement without leaving the patient. This is possible as the Proxima sensor is a miniaturized version of a blood gas analyzer that is integrated directly into the patient’s arterial line, meaning that all blood is returned to the patient. Operated using the dedicated bedside monitor with touch screen interface; simple, clear routines guide the user through operating the Proxima system. Patient results are then displayed clearly on this monitor and also electronically transferred for permanent record within information management systems.

The new connectivity enhanced Proxima system will be demonstrated at the Society for Computing in Anaesthesia (SCATA) Annual Scientific Meeting 2015, Birmingham, 11 -12^th May. Also at this event, Dr. Tom Clutton-Brock, Senior Lecturer Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Birmingham, will be presenting on the significance, use and validation of Proxima in a clinical setting. This presentation is entitled ‘Clinical and laboratory evaluation of a patient dedicated blood gas analyzer’.