System and apparatus for efficiently utilizing network capacity in a healthcare setting

摘要

A handheld or portable computing device is provided and capable of providing efficient maintenance of information maintained or stored within a healthcare information system such as an LIS (laboratory information system). Periodically updating information with the server allows the user to perform many specimen collection related tasks efficiently. The handheld device and related system provide improved monitoring of diagnostic sample collection errors and further provides efficient network management of accessing and updating the information on a server through communications with the network such as ping synchronization communications and use of a valid data timer element.