POINT OF CARE TE S T ING
been playing a key role in delivering a high standard of care to patients.
Expanded POCT has helped us manage the increase and, more importantly, it has helped improve the delivery of care for patients. When patients are waiting to be seen in the ED for three or four hours, it is important for them to know that the tests are being performed very quickly and that the clinical teams are working with them to make decisions. It is all about the perception that things are progressing and that they are being cared for by a dedicated team. They can see that their test is being performed as they look across the department to the laboratory. Given the current systemic pressures the NHS is facing, it is our duty as healthcare providers to think dynamically and use new innovations to drive the changes in patient centred care. The expanded diagnostic tests available at the ED have also had a positive impact on the different clinical pathways within the ED.
Moving forward
Encouraged by the success of the recent expansion of POCT capabilities, Queen’s Hospital is exploring the potential for further upgrades to their POCT instrument range. Further expansion could enable more patients to be tested at the point of care, leading to faster diagnoses and better patient experience.
The areas we want to expand within POCT are in the field of molecular diagnostics. These include flu, carbapenemase producing enterobacteriaceae (CPE), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) screening for effective patient isolation; and the introduction of liver function testing, for example looking at amylase, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels. Adding these tests would offer an even broader panel of tests and deliver the benefits of POCT to more of our patients. This demonstrates that this model of diagnostic testing is working – both for staff and for our patients. In fact, other Trusts wanting to do the same thing have written to us for advice. We have shared our business cases, risk assessments and clinical verification data with them. We ensure that we support them and empower them to confidently embrace POCT. A key factor for success is stakeholder engagement and working as a multi-disciplinary team. We have excellent dialogue and engagement with our acute medicine and executive colleagues, without which our project would have failed. CSJ
References 1
https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/ publications/statistical/hospital-accident-- emergency-activity/2017-18
OCTOBER 2020
About the author
Clare Bailey is the divisional director of healthcare professionals, cancer and clinical support at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT). Clare studied marine biology and zoology at Bangor University in North Wales, before completing her BSc and MSc in biomedical science at the University of Greenwich where she sponsors the annual prize for best MSc Biomedical Science project. Clare gained her IBMS specialism in clinical chemistry and her previous roles include senior specialist BMS in clinical chemistry and point of care testing, lead specialist BMS in point of care testing and deputy blood sciences manager. Clare’s portfolio currently includes
pathology, pharmacy, infection control, therapies, radiology, oncology and radiotherapy physics; she has a strong background in technological innovation and is focused on improving patient safety, care quality, and experience.
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