An innovative trial to evaluate the impact of point-of-care (POC) technology on Primary Care practice has demonstrated significant benefits for local service provision
An innovative trial to evaluate the impact of point-of-care (POC) technology on Primary Care practice has demonstrated significant benefits for local service provision in line with government targets outlined in NHS Plan and NSF proposals.
The P4 Project supplied HemoCue B-Glucose and B-Haemoglobin analysers (plus all associated consumables, key operator training, customer care and technical support) to 98 general practices within one Area Health Authority for a 3-month period.
Data were analysed within the stringent QC and assessment procedures of the Trust's local POC testing committee and the results demonstrate how such decentralised testing can deliver beneficial outcomes for both practice efficiency and patient care.
Operational simplicity and analytical quality are the outstanding benefits reported and the implications for improved services are clear.
Immediate results allow rapid diagnosis and initiation or adjustment of treatment, reduced repeat visits and increased patient satisfaction.
In addition, the reduced costs and time-saving resulting from decreased central testing, paperwork and general administration are substantial.
All that is needed for a HemoCue measurement is the portable photometric analyser, a disposable microcuvette, and a drop of blood.
The self-filling cuvette is pipette, test-tube and measuring vessel all in one.
It draws up a controlled amount of whole blood by capillary action and is placed in the analyser. The chemical reaction takes place inside the cuvette and results are displayed in seconds.
The analysers score high for screening purposes and provide a degree of responsiveness not achievable with central laboratory testing staff undertake more routine health promotion screening for both diabetes and anaemia during the project and recognise the need for extended screening programmes, and the increased requirement for primary care involvement in diabetes and anaemia management.
This is already a well established technology deployed in thousands of practices worldwide and with 2500 analysers placed in the UK NHS alone. Staff predict that primary care test requests will increase in response to government directives these analysers will provide them with the flexible clinic-based systems needed for compliance with anticipated guidelines and standards.
