1. Point of Care Testing
Induction Welcome

2. Team introduction Michelle Carter – POCT lead - 57511
Louisa Dawson – POCT Practitioner
Natalie Cartmell- POCT Associate Practitioner
Charlotte Reynolds – POCT Support Worker
Bleep 828

3. What is point of care testing
Pathology performed outside of the conventional laboratory setting
At or near the patient bedside
By clinical staff not Biomedical scientists
POCT allows for the diagnosis and treatment of patients in “real time” rather than waiting for laboratory results.
This can allow a better flow of patients through the hospital
It can also support better patient flow and more timely patient discharges

4. Point of care testing
Would you expect the laboratory to process unlabelled samples ?
Would you expect to receive a report from the laboratory with no patient identifiers on it ?
Would you treat a patient using a pathology report which had no patient identifiers on it ?

5. Point of Care Testing

6. Point of care testing
Would you expect the laboratory to allow untrained staff to process pathology samples and allow these results to be reported for clinical use ?

7. Blood Gas Analysers
Access to the Blood gas analyser is obtained via training with a Key trainer, member of the POCT team or Werfen
Training takes approximately half an hour and comprises of theory, competency questions and a practical assessment
Do not attempt to access the analysers until you have a login of your own – Do not ask anyone for their barcode in order to process a blood gas sample
Password sharing is a breech of trust policy and is also against the law under the computer misuse Act 1990

8. Blood Gas Analysers… Locations
A&E – Gem 4000 x2
AMU – Gem 4000 x1
WARD 10 – Gem 4000 x1
General theatres - Gem 4000 x1
Critical care - Gem per ward (ITU/HDU)
CITU – Gem 4000 x 2
Cardiac Theatres -Gem 4000 x 4
NNU – Gem 4000 x1
Delivery suite – Gem 4000 x1
Cath Labs – Opti x1

9. Key trainers A&E – Becky Ashford AMU – See POCT team
Ward 10 – John Ramsdale- Walsh
General Theatres – Carl Mauback, Nikki Gelling, Caroline Dempsey
Critical Care – Lianne Harrison, Andrew Henson
CITU – Clare Hassall
Cardiac Theatres – Julie Johnson, Carly Tipping
NNU – Rosie Milbourn, Sarah Steward
Delivery Suite – Clare Harrison
Cath Labs – Karen Jackson (Opti blood gas analyser only)

10. Blood gas analysis
Always ensure that you use a heparinised syringe or capillary tube
Ensure that any air/bubbles are expelled and you cap the syringe or capillary tube
All samples must be labelled at the patient bedside (sticker is acceptable)
Gently and Continuously mix your sample until analysis
Always use your own login details

11. Blood gas ANALYSIS Do not allow any other operator to use your login
You are legally responsible for any activity performed under your login, irrespective of whether you were involved or not
POCT blood gas analysers are to be used only by the department in which it is situated
If your analyser is experiencing down time (i.e. the cartridge is being changed) then you may use the next nearest analyser (make sure you identify yourself to the ward as you arrive)

12. Blood gas Analysis
Ensure that you enter full patient demographics (Hospital Number, full name, DOB, Gender)
Do not make up hospital numbers or use /123245/99999
The Blood gas analysers are supported by an ADT feed so miss-matches and incorrect details are all logged and actioned by the POCT team.
Deliberate failure to enter correct patient demographics and /or password sharing will result in operators being deactivated from using the analyser and a review into the incident will be performed
If you have a genuine case where a blood gas sample is required before a patient has been admitted on the system, then an unknown patient form should be used to maintain the audit trail of the sample - this will be covered in training.

13. Useful information
Blood gas training will be offered to you all in early October, if you have not already received this
You will also receive training for the Glucose and Ketone meters on the same day.
Please do not hesitate to contact the team if we can support you with any POCT queries.
Please visit our SharePoint site for further information.

14. Any Questions ?