Point-of-care testing (POCT) is a form of patient-centric health care and refers to diagnostic, monitoring, screening, or prognostic tests performed at, or near, the site of a patient, with the result leading to a possible change in care for the patient. POCT can guide treatment decisions and support care and is often provided by health care professionals, or in some cases, by individuals themselves.
When using POCT, pharmacy professionals must understand its limitations and risks and ensure that it is performed within the scope of the manufacturer’s intended use. If POCT is performed outside of established policies, processes, and procedures, it could lead to inconsistent and unreliable results which can result in risk to the patient being tested. This includes the possibility of reporting erroneous results, which could lead to incorrect or inappropriate decisions being made in relation to the health, management, or care needs of the patient.
Guidance for Point of Care Testing in Community Pharmacies
The following guidelines are intended to guide point-of-care testing in the absence of defined legislation or standards of practice. Pharmacy professionals should only depart from a guideline if they can demonstrate that, by doing so, they did not detract from the safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness of patient care.
The guidelines include both operational expectations for pharmacists-in-charge and expectations for the pharmacist performing the service.