Point of Care Testing

Download the Point of Care Testing course leaflet

Download the CPD Handbook

A description of POCT as a diagnostic tool:
This will include why POCT should be used and its advantages, disadvantages and limitations. The concept of test clusters. How to select, organise and manage a POCT solution with particular reference to recent Medical Devices Agency bulletins.

What tests can be done in a POCT setting:
The range of analyses employed within traditional categories (Biochemistry, Haematology and Microbiology) and clinically centred test clusters (Diabetes, Critical care, Cardiac care, Drug investigations). Where and why they are used. Whether they are suitable or not for their potential use. What the basic analytical principle of these analyses is.

Data acquisition in POCT:
The rationale for data acquisition, in particular electronic acquisition. A brief description of connectivity and interconnectivity. Options for positive patient identification of results, electronic transfer of results to a central record and the development of industry standards to facilitate this. This course improves awareness of:

• Measurement processes, especially biosensors (i.e. AVL optodes, I-STAT technology, glucose meter redox strips).
• Instrumentation available (Roche, Bayer, Abbott).
• Difficulties regarding correlation of POCT and laboratory results and reference ranges.
• Circumstances when POCT results should be confirmed by laboratory i.e. before critical management (eg glycaemic and kalaemic control).
• Circumstances when POCT results should never be used (eg hypoglycaemia-induced dynamic function tests).
• Need for hospital policy governing choice, location, maintenance and training.
• Need for adequate laboratory backup and out of hours policy.
• Training programme for users and a nominated ward-based supervisor. Establishment of on-going training and password issue for trained user access only.
• Need for patient I.D. and access and traceability of results.
• Need for internal and external Quality Control/Assurance.
• Critical appraisal of costs/benefits, logistics and improvement in patent care.
• Additional problems with POCT in the community.
• Medico-legal implications