Can I digess from POCT and clarify the difference between joining a professional body (and by definition becoming an healthcare professional) and registering with a statutory regulatory body, which for those using the title Biomedical Scientist or Clinical Scientists will be the Health Professions Council.
An MLA could well be described as a non registered healthcare professional through their membership of the Association of Medical Laboratory Assistants (AMLA).
“AMLA is the professional body which has been introduced to provide advice and guidance on education and training for Medical Laboratory Assistants and to promote the professional capabilities and aspirations of this group employed in hospital laboratories throughout the National Health Service” (http://www.amlauk.org/).
I agree with you that MLAs in many laboratories are well trained and in my experience hard working members of staff who quite often, but not necessarily, have academic qualification not approved or accredited for registration with the HPC.
Medical genetics laboratories in particular employ MTOs who make a major contribution to the work of the genetics laboratories but are often described as non-registered healthcare professionals often with very good academic qualifications. MTOs can register with the Voluntary Registration Council http://www.vrcouncil.org (as can other healthcare professionals) but it is important to note that this body has no statutory powers.
Regards - Neil
Neil Willis M.Sc. M.B.A. D.M.S. C.Sci. FIBMS
Health Professions Council member
Laboratory Medicine Co-ordinator for Training and Development
Medical Biochemistry
University Hospital of Wales
Cardiff
CF14 4XW
Tel +442920742807
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>>> Janice Still <[log in to unmask]> 22/07/08 8:46 PM >>>
First, I am puzzled by the use of the term "non-registered healthcare professionals" as the terms in that phrase seem mutually exclusive.If you are a healthcare professional, then surely you must be registered with some professional body. I think you meant healthcare staff.
I was recently asked to give a blood glucose update to the Psychosis Intervention team for a Mental Health Trust.After about five minutes it became apparent that two individuals were totally lost.They turned out to be a social worker and an occupational therapist, who had been asked to "do health checks" on their patients, including blood glucose and blood pressure. Neither even knew what a normal blood glucose should look like.Having informed their managers of the risk issues, this idea was abandoned.
I am aware of some Trusts who use MLA/MTO/"biomedical support workers" in areas such as A&E where they perform all the POCT analysis, and also other tasks such as retrieving lab results, phlebotomy, and collecting x-rays. They are well trained, responsible to the laboratory, and monitored. I am sure that someone who uses staff in this way can comment, but I understand that this works very well and that there is less analyser down time due to misuse or poor sampling.
I would have to say that I would be VERY wary of allowing someone not under the laboratory's direct management such as a porter, to carry out such duties. Analytical errors comprise a large proportion of the reasons for an incorrect result. Would a porter understand the reasons why a sample must be adequately mixed, or not analysed if there was a 1mL air bubble? Would they have the knowledge to say "That's a poor sample, I'm not analysing that".I think the answers would be no. The doctor would browbeat or shroud wave the porter into submission. Because the porter does not obtain or act on the results does not absolve them of responsibility for a wrong result if their actions caused it.
Yes, POCT analysers are becoming ever simpler amd easy to operate. That does not mean that we should allow anyone who wanders past to pop a gas through. I have a feeling that somewhere at the back of this question is the small matter of money, and that this looks like a cheap option. It may be, until a six-figure lawsuit hits you.
Mrs. J. Still,
POCT Manager,
Biochemistry Dept,
Watford General Hospital. 01923-217998.
The views expressed in this message are personal and do not reflect West Herts NHS Hospitals Trust policy.
----- Original Message ----
From: Turner Helen <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Tuesday, 22 July, 2008 4:44:11 PM
Subject: POCT by unqualified staff
Dear all,
I wonder if anywhere has gone down the routeof, or even seriously consideredallowing non registered healthcare professionals e.g. portering staff,to perform Point ofCareTesting e.g. the analysis of samples for blood gases.(I am assuming thatnowhere would countenance themobtaining the sample or interpreting&acting on results!?)
Just trying to get a feel for any changes in common practiceImay be missing.
Regards
Helen Turner
Deputy Healthcare Scientist Service Manager
& Trust Point Of Care Testing Coordinator
Department of Chemical Pathology
Gloucester Royal Hospital
Gloucester Hospitals NHSF Trust
Tel 08454 225237
http://www.glospct.nhs.uk
2gether NHS Foundation Trust http://www.partnershiptrust.org.uk
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust http://www.gloshospitals.org.uk
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