POCT

Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of glucose oxidase in measuring glucose concentration?

To measure light intensity directly

To act as a buffer in the solution

To calculate the temperature of the solution

To directly exchange electrons between the enzyme and electrodes (correct)

How does spectrophotometry determine the concentration of a substance?

By applying the Nernst equation to measure potential

By measuring the temperature of the solution

By analyzing the intensity of light at various wavelengths (correct)

By measuring the mass of the sample

What is measured by potentiometry?

The flow of electrical current in an insulated circuit

The potential of an electrode chain (correct)

The intensity of a phosphorescent dye's luminescence

The absorption spectrum of a blood sample

What principle underlies amperometry?

Measurement of electrical current flow related to oxidation or reduction Signup and view all the answers

How is optical pO2 measured?

By evaluating the phosphorescence behavior of a dye in contact with oxygen Signup and view all the answers

Which method is commonly used for testing substances like pregnancy or drugs of abuse?

Immunoassays Signup and view all the answers

What does the Nernst equation relate to in potentiometry?

The concentration of the sample Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following substances can amperometry be applied to?

Creatinine levels Signup and view all the answers

What is the main application of spectrophotometry in medical diagnostics?

Analyzing the absorption of different wavelengths in a blood sample Signup and view all the answers

Which PCR system is mentioned for testing SARS-CoV-2, Flu A&B, and RSV?

Geneexpert/Roche Liat Signup and view all the answers

What does POCT primarily involve?

Analysis of biological specimens outside of the central laboratory Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a synonym for POCT?

Centralized testing Signup and view all the answers

How does POCT optimize drug treatment?

By promoting more appropriate use of drugs Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the advantages of POCT concerning blood products?

Reduction in blood product usage Signup and view all the answers

Which of these benefits helps with resource management in healthcare?

Reduced need for laboratory staff, equipment, and space Signup and view all the answers

How does POCT impact hospital stay time?

Reduces hospital stay time Signup and view all the answers

What is the standard time for A&E/ICU samples to be released?

1 hour Signup and view all the answers

How long does it typically take for POCT to release results?

1-20 minutes Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential drawback of using POCT?

It can be expensive Signup and view all the answers

What impact does quicker movement of patients to relevant wards have?

Improvement of the patient pathway Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main advantages of laboratory testing compared to Point of Care Testing (POCT)?

Lower cost due to bulk testing Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary concern associated with the quality of results in POCT?

Technical knowledge of clinical staff Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of cascade training in POCT?

To systematically train a large number of staff efficiently Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following items is prohibited from being stored in a dedicated POCT room?

Injectable solutions Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical requirement for the physical setup of a dedicated POCT room?

Fixed solid screen between devices and patients Signup and view all the answers

Why are risk assessments considered necessary in the context of POCT?

To prevent poor quality samples from affecting results Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true about the monitoring system in a dedicated POCT room?

It must allow real-time temperature monitoring for stored consumables Signup and view all the answers

What type of technology includes smaller versions of laboratory analysers?

Benchtop analysers Signup and view all the answers

What does the presence of expired reagents impact in POCT?

The reliability of test results Signup and view all the answers

What is a key safety equipment requirement in a dedicated POCT room?

Dedicated eye wash kit Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Overview of POCT

Point of Care Testing (POCT) involves analyzing biological specimens at or near the site of patient care, rather than in a central laboratory.
Other terms for POCT include near patient testing, bedside testing, ancillary testing, and decentralized testing.

Benefits of POCT

Optimizes drug treatment, ensuring more appropriate drug use.
Reduces reliance on blood products such as ROTEM.
Minimizes the need for laboratory staff, equipment, and space, enhancing resource management.
Provides timely results, enabling quick decision-making for better patient outcomes.
Decreases hospital stay durations by expediting discharge processes and reducing wait times for lab results.
Facilitates quicker patient transfers to relevant wards, improving care pathways.

Timeliness of Results

A&E/ICU samples should be released within one hour, while other wards may require 2-4 hours.
POCT results can be delivered in 1-20 minutes, significantly speeding up the process.

Cost and Training Challenges

POCT can be expensive due to single-use reagents and cartridges, e.g., D-dimer tests costing £20 versus £5 in bulk lab testing.
Risk management is vital as POCT results may vary based on the operator's training and experience.
Training for POCT may be cumbersome with up to 3,000 operators involved, as opposed to fewer than ten laboratory professionals.

Cascade Training Model

Cascade training involves master trainers educating smaller groups, facilitating efficient training across larger organizations.

Implementation Process of POCT

Requires business cases for budget allocation, ensuring device sustainability with contract values typically above £10,000.
Involves verification of devices by a multi-disciplinary team including clinical, biomedical, and administrative staff.
Necessary training covers a variety of healthcare personnel, including doctors and nurses.
Daily maintenance is overseen by a dedicated POCT team within each ward.
A POCT Committee ensures adherence to Trust policies for device maintenance, result quality assurance, and staff training.

Safety and Setup Requirements

POCT procedures are considered hazardous due to involvement with bodily fluids.
Most tests are performed at the patient's bedside or in medical offices, necessitating clear storage and operation areas.
A dedicated POCT room should have health and safety features, proper lighting, and easily accessible hygiene facilities.
Essential safety equipment includes dedicated gloves, goggles, eye wash stations, and clinical waste bins.
Electrical setups must support required devices with adequate plug sockets and temperature monitoring for fridges.

Monitoring and Quality Control

Real-time temperature monitoring is required for stored consumables.
Risk assessments are crucial to ensure sample quality and prevent erroneous results.
Internal Quality Control (IQC) and External Quality Assessment (EQA) are critical for detecting and preventing systematic errors that could impact patient care.

Types of POCT Technologies

Benchtop analyzers offer quantitative testing, while handheld devices are used for qualitative analysis.
Common technologies include:
- Reflection photometry: Measures light intensity to determine substance concentration.
- Spectrophotometry: Analyzes light absorption through blood samples for various tests.
- Potentiometry: Measures electrode potential related to sample concentration.
- Amperometry: Assesses electrical current related to substance concentration.
- Optical pO2: Uses phosphorescent dye to determine oxygen levels.

Testing Applications

POCT is employed for various tests, including:
- Immunoassays for pregnancy, drug abuse, HIV, and SARS-CoV-2.
- Lateral flow tests and PCR methods for flu and respiratory virus detection.

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Description

This quiz explores Point of Care Testing (POCT), which involves the analysis of biological specimens at or near the site of patient care. It discusses various definitions of POCT, its benefits, and its implications for drug treatment optimization. Test your knowledge and understanding of this vital testing method!