Point of Care Tests (POCT)

Point of Care Systems in the Acute Trust

Please contact the PoCT Co-ordinator in Chemical Pathology at the earliest opportunity if PoCT is being considered on 0300 422 5237.

Alternatively, emails can be directed to the Point of Care email address. This email is monitored during core hours Monday to Friday.

Blood Glucose and Ketone Meters

Supplies

Testing strips are obtained from Pharmacy.

For quality control solutions, batteries & new meters, contact Chemical Pathology on 0300 422 5231, or email the Point of Care email address.

Non Urgent Queries

Any non-urgent queries relating to the blood glucose and ketone meters should be directed to the Point of Care email address. This email is monitored during core hours Monday to Friday.

Troubleshooting

In the event of a meter failure, please download the following form and carry out the initial checks and remedial actions listed Glucose Meter Return Form GHNHSFT.doc

If these actions do not resolve the error(s), please return the meter, with the completed form, to Chemical Pathology at GRH or CGH.

Return of glucose/ketone meters to Chemical Pathology:

• A completed certificate of decontamination must be attached in accordance with Trust policy
• Only faulty meters can be replaced free of charge by Chemical Pathology
• Lost or meters broken due to misuse cannot be replaced by Chemical Pathology
• Meters broken in transit due to inadequate packing cannot be replaced by Chemical Pathology  

Training

Train the trainer and new general users training sessions (for glucose meters) can now be booked via using the link on the Education, Training and Development page. These sessions will be held at Redwood Education Centre (GRH) or Sanford Education Centre (CGH) and have been updated to ensure that they are COVID secure sessions. Available dates and times can be found here: 2022 Blood Glucose & Ketone StatStrip® Training Sessions Room Bookings

Blood Gas/Electrolyte/Metabolite Analysers

Supplies

IL Gems – all supplies are maintained by the department where the equipment is sited.

Troubleshooting

During normal working hours contact Chemical Pathology on 0300 422 5231 for advice if required.

Any non-urgent queries relating to the IL GEM machines should be directed to the Point of Care email address. This email is monitored during core hours Monday to Friday.

Outside of normal working hours, your nearest analyser serves as back up.

Training

Training & assessment of competency of users is undertaken by the designated departmental trainer where the equipment is used.

Train the trainer: contact 0300 422 5237. 

Pregnancy Tests (Urine)

Supplies

Testing kits are obtained from Pharmacy.

Training

Training & assessment of competency of users is undertaken by the designated departmental trainer where the equipment is used.

Train the trainer: contact 0300 422 5237. 

HbA1c Analyser

Supplies

Test cartridges are obtained from Chemical Pathology as required.

Troubleshooting

During normal working hours contact Chemical Pathology on 0300 422 5231.

Any non-urgent queries relating to the HbA1c analyser should be directed to the Point of Care email address. This email is monitored during core hours Monday to Friday.

Training

Training & assessment of competency of users is undertaken by the designated departmental trainer where the equipment is used.

Train the trainer:  contact 0300 422 5237. 

HemoCue Haemoglobin Devices

Locations

HemoCue devices are held in the following locations within the Trust:

Cheltenham General Hospital

• General Theatres recovery
• Orthopaedic Theatres recovery
• Lung Function (2 devices)

Gloucestershire Royal Hospital

• Central Delivery Unit (3 devices)
• DCC / Theatres

Maintenance and daily quality control are the sole responsibility of the holding departments.

Supplies

For obtaining replacement cuvettes and consumables please contact Prospect Diagnostics directly:

Prospect Diagnostics Contacts

The Department of Haematology does not keep any HemoCue consumables in stock.

External Quality Assurance

The Department of Haematology receives external quality assurance material from UK NEQAS for assessing continued performance of HemoCue devices. A Biomedical Scientist will visit the relevant departments to process the QC material when it is received by the laboratory. If you have any queries regarding the external quality assurance of your devices, please contact the Haematology laboratory on Cheltenham General Hospital, 0300 411 4058 or Gloucestershire Royal Hospital on 0300 422 5242.

Troubleshooting

In the event of photometer failure, please refer at first instance to the “Troubleshooting Guide” in the HemoCue operating manual. The HemoCues are maintained under a warranty programme to ensure breakdown and replacement cover, administered by the Lead Nurse or Midwife. If the photometer needs repair, please contact Prospect Diagnostics Ltd (contacts above) quoting the serial number of the device (found on the underside of the unit).

If the problem cannot be resolved, please contact one of the departments listed above who also carry HemoCue devices. If no HemoCue devices are readily available, an urgent FBC can be sent to the Department of Haematology for processing.

The equipment downtime log must be completed whenever there are technical problems with a HemoCue device (located on the reverse of the checklist sheet).

Please note: reaction cuvettes are not interchangeable between the 201+ HemoCues and older devices, or any other HemoCue device not designed to measure Haemoglobin.

Urine Dipsticks

Supplies

Testing strips are obtained from Pharmacy

Training

Training & assessment of competency of users is undertaken by the designated departmental trainer where the equipment is used.