Point of Care Competency
Testing at Lancaster
General Hospital
By Karen Espey, MT (ASCP)
Lab Supervisor - POCT and
Phlebotomy
LGH Highlights
Bed size – greater than 580
Number of POC sites – 10 sites
Number of POC users – 3025 plus
Number of POC methods – 17 - includes
waived and moderate complex testing
Two POC computer systems
MAS/RALS
Abbott
POCT Personnel – 1.5 FTE’s
LGH Highlights
LGH is state, JCAHO and CAP accredited
POC users are trained during orientation by
the POC department or validated trainer
from the Education Department
Competency is assessed annually by the
POC department for waived and moderate
complex testing
Unit validators and the Education
Department validate ONLY visual
glucometer testing
Competency Assessment
Requirements
CAP/JCAHO Requirements
Elements of competency assessment
include but are not limited to:
Direct observation (patients, qc, and
maintenance)
Monitoring of test results
Review of records
Blind or proficiency testing
Evaluation of problem solving skills
Annual Assessment of POCT at
LGH
UA dipstick testing
Written exam (procedure manual highlights and problem
solving questions)
Visual (performance of an unknown)
Monitoring of quality of control
Specific Gravity by Refractometer
Written exam (procedure manual highlights and problem
solving questions)
Visual (performance of an unknown)
Monitoring of quality of control
Urine Pregnancy
Written exam which includes a positive/negative test
Unknown Proficiency Testing
Problem solving questions included in written exam
Annual Assessment of POCT at
LGH
Hemoccult/Gastroccult
Written exam which includes a positive/negative
test
Unknown proficiency testing
Problem solving questions included in written
exam
DCA 2000/Glycohemoglobin
Written exam (procedure manual highlights and
problem solving questions)
Visual observation of patient testing
Proficiency testing
Annual Assessment of POCT at
LGH
ACT Testing (Response and Sig+)
Written exam (procedure manual highlights and
problem solving questions)
Unknown proficiency testing
Monitoring of quality control
i-STAT
Written exam (procedure manual highlights and
problem solving questions)
Unknown proficiency testing
Explanation/observation of patient preparation
and specimen collection
Annual Assessment of POCT at
LGH
Coaguchek
Written exam (procedure manual highlights and
problem solving questions)
Unknown proficiency testing
Explanation/observation of patient preparation
and specimen collection
Monitoring of quality control
Glucometer
Written exam (procedure manual highlights and
problem solving questions)
Unknown proficiency testing
Explanation/observation of patient preparation
and specimen collection
Monitoring of quality control bi-annually
Annual Assessment of POCT at
LGH
Cholesterol
Written exam (procedure manual highlights and
problem solving questions)
Unknown proficiency testing
Explanation/observation of patient preparation
and specimen collection
Amnioswabs
Written exam which includes a positive/negative
test
Unknown Proficiency Testing
Problem solving questions included in written
exam
Annual Assessment of POCT at
LGH
Strep Testing
Written exam (procedure manual
highlights and problem solving
questions)
Unknown proficiency testing
Monitoring of quality control
Tools for Annual Competency
documentation
Netlearning program (procedure
manual highlights, written
competency tests, and used for
procedural changes)
Net Manager (summarizes completed
tests and provides grades for each
individual)
Excel spreadsheet
Managing Annual POC
Competency at LGH
Test specific written exam appears in
Netlearning for each individual to perform
Written exam requires > 80% to pass
Net Manager tallies all passing tests and
generates a report
Visual competency logs completed by POC
department, Education Department and
validators
Managing Annual POC
Competency at LGH cont’d
Visual competency logs managed by POC
department
Competencies are managed by using an
Excel spreadsheet
Bi-monthly, validators and the Education
Department are updated with a list of
incomplete competencies
All competencies are to be completed by
April 1st
???Questions???
Thank You