A--Agilent Laboratories Takes Lead in Forming Consortium to Establish Point-Of-Care Connectivity Standards
BUSINESS WIRE - March 23, 2000 11:18
PALO ALTO, Calif., Mar 23, 2000 (BW HealthWire) -- Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) announced today the launch of a non-profit group whose objective is to better connect handheld diagnostic devices to healthcare information systems and electronic medical records. These advances promise to improve the quality and timeliness of healthcare and to help manage its cost in hospitals, clinics and homes worldwide.
Called the Connectivity Industry Consortium, or CIC, the 32-member, industry-funded group is composed of device manufacturers, information-system companies and healthcare providers, and was organized by Agilent Labs at the request of the American Association of Clinical Chemistry's (AACC) Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) Division. The CIC will develop and implement standards to enable seamless information exchange between "point-of-care" products -- handheld devices that monitor and test patients at the hospital bedside, in the doctor's office, and at home -- and healthcare information systems. Without these standards, point-of-care solutions will be slow to market. The CIC has agreed to integrate the standards into products currently being developed.
The CIC aims to produce a standards-based connectivity solution within its first year, after which the solution will be transferred to a chartered standards maintenance organization. Wherever possible, the consortium will leverage existing standards.
"Healthcare providers have been asking the industry for better connectivity for point-of-care products. The consortium's efforts will help those who are striving to manage the cost and quality of care and who must cope with a multitude of interfaces," said Jim Nichols, Ph.D., of Johns Hopkins University.
By making test results immediately available to the healthcare professional at the patient's side, point-of-care testing improves the quality of care while decreasing its cost. Advances in miniaturization, microprocessors and optoelectronic components have enabled the development of small devices that can perform diagnostic tests that were once only possible using bench-sized instruments located in a central laboratory. Thus, a physician using a point-of-care device could perform a diagnostic test and modify a patient's therapy immediately, unlike conventional processes.
CIC members joining Agilent are among the leaders in point-of-care diagnostic devices, healthcare, and information systems. Core industry members include AVL Scientific Corp., Bayer Diagnostics, Instrumentation Laboratory, Johnson & Johnson, Lifescan Inc., Medical Automation Systems, Radiometer Medical A/S, Roche Diagnostics and Sunquest Information Systems.
Sunquest CEO Sidney A. Goldblatt, MD, said, "The consortium will make it possible for healthcare institutions, information systems companies and instrument manufacturers to cooperate on a standard that will benefit patients, physicians and the industry."
Agilent will contribute financial and organizational resources to the CIC. Dirk Boecker, M.D., Ph.D., and manager of Agilent Lab's Medical Department will serve on the CIC's board of directors. Jeff Perry, project scientist with Agilent Lab's Medical Department, is the CIC's chief technical officer.
Agilent's Opportunity
Agilent Technologies is committed to the success of the CIC's goals, according to company president and CEO Ned Barnholt. "Without connectivity standards, growth in point-of-care testing will be difficult to realize and solutions difficult to design," Barnholt said. "The point-of-care testing market represents a significant business opportunity for Agilent. Standards are a key requirement for growth in point-of-care, and the CIC provides an excellent forum to develop these much-needed standards." By combining its skills in providing comprehensive measurement systems and next-generation solutions, Agilent is well positioned to participate in the emerging POC market.
About Agilent Laboratories
Agilent Laboratories, formerly part of Hewlett-Packard Laboratories, is one of the leading technological research centers in the world. Based in Palo Alto, Calif., Agilent Labs draws on the talents of more than 410 researchers and support staff. The Labs conduct applied research in communications, measurement, healthcare, and bioscience; fundamental research in materials, microelectronics, optoelectronics, fiber optics, and micromechanical systems; and basic research. Agilent Labs is focused on driving growth and profit for the company's businesses through technology innovation.
Information about Agilent Laboratories can be found on the Web at www.labs.agilent.com.
About Agilent Technologies
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is a diversified technology company, resulting from Hewlett-Packard Company's plan to strategically realign itself into two fully independent companies. With 42,000 employees serving customers in more than 120 countries, Agilent Technologies is a global leader in designing and manufacturing test, measurement and monitoring instruments, systems and solutions, and semiconductor and optical components. The company serves markets that include communications, electronics, life sciences and healthcare. The businesses comprising Agilent, a subsidiary of HP, had net revenues of more than $8.3 billion in fiscal year 1999. |
