EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc announced the launch of EKF Link, a digital connectivity solution for the secure management of point-of-care ("POC") analysers and associated data on one centralised platform. The EKF Link middleware links to EKF's own product portfolio and can also provide connectivity to selected third-party POC analysers, to enable real-time remote management of data, such as patient test results, quality control ("QC") /calibration results, operator management and analyser configuration. EKF Linkis a downloadable software package that allows POC analysers to connect to a hospital or laboratory's IT system, enabling data transfer from these remote analysers for subsequent processing, thereby enhancing their capabilities.

This provides hospitals, laboratories and clinicians with the connectivity and functionality to manage and evaluate their patient and operator data, easily and securely. It also allows the remote operators to capture patient information, perform a QC test, lock-out unauthorised users and transfer information directly into the laboratory information management system. EKF's portfolio of POC diagnostic devices includes its range of Hematology analysers: Hemo Control and DiaSpect Tm hemoglobin, as well as its Diabetes range of analysers: Quo-Lab and Quo-Test HbA1c.

All of these can now be digitally connected from anywhere and securely accessed remotely at any time using EKF Link, compared to current methods whereby data generated from POC analysers are either kept as written records, printed out, or in some cases connected via Bluetooth or data cable. The development and launch of EKF Link has been driven by customer demand and designed in partnership with hospital POC managers to ensure the software meets their specific needs. EKF Link provides the Company with improved competitive positioning for future POC contract tenders and new accounts, and increases the attractiveness of the EKF product portfolio to existing customers against currently available technologies.