The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 279 No 7465 p173
18 August 2007

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News summary

New guidelines on point-of-care testing

Updated recommendations on point-of-care testing have been published by the British Committee for Standards in Haematology.

The guidelines are designed to be used in a variety of settings, and they recognise that “there is clearly scope for pharmacists to both develop and deliver point-of-care testing services”.

At the same time, the BCSH says that all those undertaking point-of-care testing, including community pharmacies, should seek the advice and involvement of an accredited clinical laboratory, so that optimum quality and cost effectiveness can be achieved.

The guidelines, which replace the committee’s 1995 recommendations, also recommend that equipment used for point-of-care testing should have received successful independent evaluations from official bodies such as the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency, generate results that can be compared with those from the local laboratory, and be properly maintained and calibrated.

In addition, records should be kept of patient identity, results, date and time of testing, reagent lot and operator identity. The BCSH also recommends that all NHS trusts establish point-of-care testing committees. These committees should take responsibility for all point-of-care testing and ensure that it is appropriate and can be accredited, it says.