Quick Tips for Ensuring Accurate Test Results

Used appropriately, Point of Care Testing (POCT) can be a key component in meeting the goals of improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.¹ The compelling concept behind POCT is the increased speed of results and the likelihood of a faster diagnosis in support of more immediate clinical management decisions.

Since one of the biggest challenges of a laboratory’s POCT is maintaining quality, the potential for errors often raises concern about the reliability of test results. Clinical personnel with minimal laboratory knowledge tend to be a source for error. They are often unfamiliar with routine laboratory procedures regarding the importance of proper patient preparation, sample collection, calibration, instrument maintenance, and quality control.

1. Provide training prior to POCT device operation.
2. Document competency assessments at specific intervals for each POC test
3. Conduct regular inspections at your POCT site to determine your training has been effective
   1. training and competency records,
   2. environment of care, safety,
   3. reagent storage and labeling,
   4. documentation of results, and
4. Correct any vague procedures has proven troublesome.

POCT should be considered as part of the continuum of the clinical laboratory’s contribution to patient care. It is a fundamental responsibility of the laboratory director and administrative staff to ensure employee training and competency so that quality can be maintained throughout the entire testing process.

RESOURCES:
1. Futrell, K. POCT: POCT Supports New Demands.  Changes in healthcare open door for point-of-care testing to improve outcomes. December 9, 2013. http://www.iacld.ir/DL/elm/poctsupportsnewdemands.pdf