Laboratory Services
Alberta Health Services provides point of care testing in a number of ways and at a number of locations.
Point of Care Testing (POCT) refers to those analytical patient testing activities provided outside the physical facilities of the clinical laboratory. POCT may not require permanent dedicated space. POCT is typically performed by clinical personnel whose primary training is not in the clinical laboratory sciences.
Performance goals for Point of Care programs will be defined by the AHS POC Network. The following are some examples:
Point of Care testing within Alberta Health Services refers to College of Physicians and Surgeons standards and guidelines in relation to Point of Care Testing.
Quality Assurance (standard 27.6 – CPSA)
A Quality Assurance plan will be defined by the AHS POC Network and will consider the following:
Consensus Performance expectations:
For example:
Consensus Metrics:
For example:
Quality Management and Risk Management
The international standard, ISO 22870 Point-of-care – Requirements for quality and competence * introduction states that risk to the patient and to the facility can be managed by a well-designed, fully implemented, Quality Management system that provides for:
References:
*International Organization of Standardization. Point-of-care testing (POCT) – requirements for quality and competence, Document ISO 22870:2006. Geneva, Switzerland: ISO, 2006:11pp.
Changes to POCT
If you would like to request a change regarding point of care testing or provide feedback through the Lab Suggestions process, please email labsuggestions@albertahealthservices.ca.
Application of POCT
The application of POCT will be organized into the following clinical areas: