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From: c=GB;a=NHS;p=NHS NATIONAL INT;dda:RFC-822=acb-clin-chem-gen-request(a)mailbase.ac.uk;
Sent: Friday, January 21, 2000 11:56 PM
To: c=GB;a=NHS;p=NHS NATIONAL INT;dda:RFC-822=acb-clin-chem-gen(a)mailbase.ac.uk;
Subject: RE: Accreditation of near-patient (point-of-care) testing
I would be most grateful for discussion/advice on the following:-
<SNIP>
But I have been just asked what is CPA's position regarding 'stick' testing
that is not associated with instrumentation.
This includes urine glucose testing and/or multitest stcks usage widely used
in a variety of outpatient clinics and some ward situations. Occasional QC
forays into this area have sometimes shown very poor QC performance, but
these very time-consuming and unrewarding exercises usually fizzle out for
these reasons. Should these "analyses" be subject to the same
recommendations that we apply to ward and out-patient instruments? Should
CPA refuse to accredit such a service unless these ephemeral investigations.
Or are these tests rarely used seriously and never acted upon in the
clinical situation?
Perhaps we really ought to find out how many of these urine dip tests are actually needed. Most patients appear to come to clinic with a urine test because they know the nurses will ask them for the sample - but how many people actually make use fo the result - could we save a lot of money by not doing the tests at all [and could we persuade OPD nurses not to do them!]
TIM
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Prof. T. Reynolds,
Clinical Chemistry Dept,
Queens Hospital,
Belvedere Rd.,
Burton-on-Trent,
STAFFS,
DE13 0RB.
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Tel: +44 (0)1283 511511 ext. 4035
Fax: +44 (0)1283 593064
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