LabPLUS is part of Auckland District Health Board
and provides medical laboratory testing
| Services |
P O I N T O F C A R E T E S T I N G |
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Enquiries | |
| If you have any problems or
queries concerning POCT equipment, or you need training or a refresher
course concerning any POCT laboratory equipment, please contact:
Glen Devenie Phlebotomy and POCT Technical Head Email: glend@adhb.govt.nz (09) 307 4949 ext 25245 During the hours of 0800 - 1630
After hours,
please contact Chemical Pathology, ext 23270 |
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| Point of Care Testing is
defined as ... "Laboratory testing performed outside of clinical laboratories". Currently, LabPLUS (at Auckland City Hospital, Greenlane Clinical Centre and National Women's Health), maintains, calibrates and controls a number of different pieces of equipment which fall under the POCT umbrella. Extensive training of clinical staff, mastery and auditing processes are also part of POCT. |
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Types of equipment are: | |
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Radiometer blood gas and Co-Oximetry analyzers: | |
| The Blood Gas Analysers in the ADHB organisation are capable of measuring electrolytes, metabolites (glucose and lactate), and Hb parameters as well as Blood Gas parameters. Of special concern is the quality of blood gas sample. For more information concerning sample quality and the errors that can arise as a consequence of incorrect sample preparation or mishandling., | ||
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Precision PCx whole blood glucose meters: | |
| A company-wide policy has been developed with standardisation of meter usage, QC, training and auditing. | ||
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Haemoscope Thrombelastograph (TEG): | |
| This is a specialised whole blood haemostasis analyser used intra- and post-operatively for liver transplants, cardiac surgery and other clinical settings. ADHB has a number of TEGs across the Auckland site. A highly useful tool, the TEG measures elasticity and tensile strength of in vitro clot formation of patient's native or heparinised whole blood. | ||
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DCA 2000 Glycated Haemoglobin analyser | |
| This instrument measures the glycated haemoglobin fraction in whole blood samples. It is used in the paediatric diabetic diabetic clinic in GLCC for monitoring glucose control in diabetics. | ||
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I-Stat whole blood gas, electrolyte and metabolite analysers: | |
| The I-Stat is a hand held analyser that performs a similar test panel to the Radiometer Blood Gas Analysers. It is useful in Theatre situations where portability is a key requirement. ADHB has a number in use. | ||
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Various haemostasis and haematology analysers e.g. Hemochron Signature Elite, Hemocue Haemoglobin and ACT analysers. | |
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By far the most common
measurements are blood gases and whole blood glucoses. With a pool in
the ADHB of several thousand potential users of these pieces of
equipment, the most pressing issues of POCT are quality control and the
reliability of results. Concomitant with and mandatory to these issues,
are high quality staff training, with backup mastery and auditing. Any
number of steps in the whole process from obtaining the patient's sample
to interpretation of the results is fraught with potential error. The
key to accuracy and reliability is education and compliance. |
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