Why Do We Need POCT Professionals?

Have you asked yourself exactly why point-of-care testing (POCT) professionals are so crucial? I received a recent text message from a colleague serving as a Regional Director of Laboratory Services for a prominent healthcare system in central California. They wrote, “I have a POCT question for you…the GEM 5000’s just showed up in our operating room within the past month. Are these waived? And do they have proficiency testing requirements?” It is hard to imagine for most of us working in POCT, how an instrument like a blood gas analyzer could make its way into an operating room without prior capital approval, technical validation, and even a passing mention to the clinical laboratory. But this sort of thing happens all the time in hospitals and healthcare facilities that are lacking adequate POCT oversight.

In today's dynamic healthcare landscape, POCT has become indispensable for delivering timely and accurate diagnostic results. POCT professionals ensure regulatory compliance, maintain testing integrity, and safeguard patient care, making them indispensable in navigating the complexities of POCT.

However, the effective management and integration of POCT requires a specialized group of professionals. At the very least, laboratory leadership must be well-versed in regulatory frameworks governing POCT in their jurisdiction and ensure communication of these regulations to relevant clinical stakeholders within the organization. Clinical leaders should understand that introducing lab testing without the approval of the Laboratory Medical Director could not only compromise the integrity of laboratory testing across the organization but also expose the clinical lab to sanctions from regulatory bodies. Without a functional laboratory, the continuity of patient care in most healthcare facilities would be severely disrupted.

Adhering to best practices, healthcare organizations should appoint dedicated POCT professionals equipped with comprehensive knowledge of the intricate quality and service requirements specific to this type of testing. In settings where multiple locations perform POCT, establishing a POCT Committee chaired by a Clinical Pathologist, PhD, or DCLS with expertise in bedside critical care testing is advisable. This committee should oversee current POCT quality and service metrics, assess new POCT testing requests, and evaluate emerging technologies on the horizon.

In practice, POCT professionals serve as frontline advocates and educators, bridging the gap between laboratory services and clinical care teams. They are often the face of the lab at their organizations, regularly interacting with hospital and clinical leadership teams to elevate their knowledge of clinical laboratory testing.

The example from my recent text message was just one of many that highlight why POCT professionals are needed in healthcare delivery. From specimen collection techniques, through interpretation of critical test values, you are essential to the success of the healthcare organizations for which you serve, and we are proud to have you as part of our community of CPP diplomates

References

Nichols JH, Alter D, Chen Y, Isbell TS, Jacobs E, Moore N, et al. AACC Guidance Document on Management of Point-of-Care Testing. J Appl Lab Med. 2020;5(4):762-787.