Point of care testing

Point of care testing (POCT), also known as bedside testing, is medical testing conducted at or near the site of patient care, often using drug testing kits. POCT is designed for the convenience of patients and also helps provide information as rapidly as possible to medical professionals, allowing clinical decisions to be made immediately.

There is a variety of different drug testing kits available for POCT and the one selected will depend on the type of tests being carried out.

Point of care tests

In terms of drug test kits, the types used in POCT might include urinalysis kits. Urinalysis, also known as routine and microscopy (R&M), refers to tests conducted on urine samples for diagnosis and treatment purposes. Urine analysis for detecting levels of alcohol in the body is common in a clinical environment. If a patient was to be admitted for emergency care, for example and medical professionals thought he or she had levels of alcohol in their body, urinalysis tests would be carried out. Urine drug tests are also common and an individual admitted with a suspected overdose would undergo such tests in order that medical staff could establish the circumstances.

Urine samples are often taken in respect of substance abuse detection systems in the workplace, with test results being routinely verified in an independent setting.

Point of care advice

Given the sheer numbers of people who may be involved in the establishment and administration of a POCT service, it is essential that some kind of coordination system be put in place and a committee be set up to oversee the running of the service.

Those involved in frontline care should be fully aware of the health and safety issues surrounding POCT kits, including the proper handling and disposal of potentially hazardous materials. Training of staff involved in POCT is therefore essential and only staff deemed competent should be allowed to carry out POCT. Training systems should be reviewed regularly and updated as and when required.

In terms of using POCT devices and kits, the instructions issued by the manufacturer should be adhered to at all times. Manufacturer guidelines on maintaining devices should also be followed by those using them, so that the devices continue to operate accurately.

Results from POCT procedures should be analysed by appropriately trained staff only and in specific reference to the medical history of the patient in question. Bearing that in mind, the keeping of precise and updated records is essential; they should include references to the test lot number as well as the identity of the person who administered the test or tests.

In summary

POCT systems are more costly to administer than traditional laboratory-based testing, but POCT has been found, in clinical settings, to generate broader economic benefits. It should be remembered, however, that testing will prove effective only in circumstances where action is taken on the results generated. Overall, POCT has been found to reduce the length of stay in hospital for patients, increase levels of adherence to the treatment administered and lower the possibility of complications occurring in patients.