 |
 |
Dr MJ Pearson Department of Clinical Biochemistry & Immunology Old Medical School Leeds General Infirmary (Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust) LEEDS LS1 3EX UK tel (44)-113-392-3945 fax (44)-113 392-3453. http://www.leedsth.nhs.uk >>> "Grimes, Helen, UCHG" <[log in to unmask]> 09/12/07 3:43 PM >>> >Q1. Has anyone had problems with being assigned space for POCT devices? Do they accept Blood gas/critical care analysers being put into corners of sluice rooms? Anyone had problems with analysers identified as contamination risk in clinical areas? Am I correct in saying that there are no guidelines for space and location? Do you all have special rooms designated for POCT? Yes, I think you are correct. You have to take each case individually and argue it on the basis of quality, risk management and keeping the kit in good condition. For blood gas analysers, we insist on a certain bench area, a lockable cupboard (for spares, consumables etc), a sink and preferably a handwash basin adjacent or very near, a network point, a phone and an ambient temp and humidity similar to the ward. We do not allow blood gas analysers in sluice rooms; they are often cold and damp, with rubbish lying around - not an environment which encourages users to treat them with care. The problem with having analysers in areas where many people are able to access them is that some people cannot resist fiddling with it and therefore cause problems - this is also a risk of course. I don't think we've ever had an issue with one in a clinical area (eg an open ward) - they are all in small rooms or bays of their own, often converted from some other use - eg cupboards, store-rooms or in one case a toilet. >Q2. An instrument for Thromboelastography has been purchased. We are trying to role out governance for POCT, and that all devices generating "laboratory" results come under the appropriate laboratory. Our POCT policy is still not Hospital policy, but is going through various Committees. In this case, Haematology do not have resources to take it on. How do other laboratories handle this? If the laboratory cannot take it on, and the clinician takes responsibility, could he still be queried for not adhering to "best practice". Similar situation here re haematology. We were asked to take one on, and on investigation it appeared that the only job required of our staff would be cleaning the kit - not on! The clinician agreed to do quality checks (not really QC/EQA as we would understand it in biochem) and after ensuring that all users would be trained by the supplier (who had a good programme) I'm afraid I left them to it. I would guess that most TEGs around are not strictly supervised by the lab but ideally ought to be. ------ACB discussion List Information-------- This is an open discussion list for the academic and clinical community working in clinical biochemistry. Please note, archived messages are public and can be viewed via the internet. Views expressed are those of the individual and they are responsible for all message content. ACB Web Site http://www.acb.org.uk List Archives http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ACB-CLIN-CHEM-GEN.html List Instructions (How to leave etc.) http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/