Evaluation of Preanalytical Point-of-Care Testing Errors and Their Impact on Productivity in the Emergency Department in the United States

The influence of undetected hemolysis on POCT potassium results in the emergency department

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate discrepancies in potassium measurements between point-of-care testing (POCT) and central laboratory (CL) methods, focusing on the impact of hemolysis on these measurements and its impact in the clinical practice in the emergency department (ED).

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted using data from three European university hospitals: Technische Universitat Munchen (Germany), Hospital Universitario La Paz (Spain), and Erasmus University Medical Center (The Netherlands). The study compared POCT potassium measurements in EDs with CL measurements. Data normalization was performed in categories for potassium levels (kalemia) and hemolysis. The severity of discrepancies between POCT and CL potassium measurements was assessed using the reference change value (RCV).

RESULTS

The study identified significant discrepancies in potassium between POCT and CL methods. In comparing POCT normo- and mild hypokalemia against CL results, differences of -4.20 % and +4.88 % were noted respectively. The largest variance in the CL was a +4.14 % difference in the mild hyperkalemia category. Additionally, the RCV was calculated to quantify the severity of discrepancies between paired potassium measurements from POCT and CL methods. The overall hemolysis characteristics, as defined by the hemolysis gradient, showed considerable variation between the testing sites, significantly affecting the reliability of potassium measurements in POCT.

CONCLUSIONS

The study highlighted the challenges in achieving consistent potassium measurement results between POCT and CL methods, particularly in the presence of hemolysis. It emphasised the need for integrated hemolysis detection systems in future blood gas analysis devices to minimise discrepancies and ensure accurate POCT results.

Nurses' perceptions of point of care testing in critical care: A cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND

Nurses working in critical care (intensive or high dependency care units) perform a multitude of tasks including point-of-care testing (POCT), where diagnostic tests are performed at or near a patient's bedside. POCT can speed up clinical decision-making, but errors can occur at any point in the pre-analytical phase.

AIM

To investigate nurses' perceptions of current POCT practice in critical care pre and post the COVID-19 pandemic.

STUDY DESIGN

An online cross-sectional survey of critical care nurses undertaken 2019-2021. Nurses across Europe were invited to participate during a conference and via communication from professional organizations.

RESULTS

A total of 158 critical care nurses responded to the survey. All respondents who stated their location reported being residents of the UK. Alongside challenges related to training and competence, frequency of sampling and sampling volumes were key concerns, seen to be associated with increased blood wastage and nursing workload, potentially increasing the potential for error, and leading to poorer patient and staff outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Results from this study highlight the impact of POCT on nurses' workload, patient care provision and staff wellbeing.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Alongside exploring feasible and effective training models, innovative roles, which provide technical support, including undertaking POCT could enable nurses more time to provide care to patients and families. Any future changes in workforce allocation must, however, be fully evaluated from the perspective of both patient and staff outcomes.

Current Issues in Blood Gas Analysis

BACKGROUND

Blood gas analysis constitutes one of the most widely used tests, especially in critical care settings such as intensive care units, emergency departments, and operating rooms. Blood gas results are key for assessing acid-base balance and ventilatory control in critically ill patients. Because blood gas analysis plays a vital role in management of critically ill patients, this testing is frequently conducted at the point-of-care by users with various educational backgrounds across different hospital departments.

CONTENT

When performing blood gas analysis, it is important to be aware of the analytical issues that may affect the different components of this testing. With blood gas analysis, differences in test names and method changes over time have led to several controversies that might affect test result interpretations. Hence, being aware of these controversies is important in ensuring appropriateness of result interpretations. Many blood gas testing programs face challenges with maintaining quality assurance. Having practical approaches to method verification, and choosing the right blood gas analyzer type, will go a long way to ensure quality in blood gas analysis.

SUMMARY

We review analytical issues and controversies associated with blood gas testing, as well as practical approaches to deciding on a blood gas analyzer and quality assurance.

Cardiac troponin measurement at the point of care: educational recommendations on analytical and clinical aspects by the IFCC Committee on Clinical Applications of Cardiac Bio-Markers (IFCC C-CB)

The International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboarator Medicine (IFCC) Committee on Clinical Applications of Cardiac Bio-Markers (C-CB) has provided evidence-based educational resources to aid and improve the understanding of important analytical and clinical aspects of cardiac biomarkers. The present IFCC C-CB educational report focuses on recommendations for appropriate use, analytical performance, and gaps in clinical studies related to the use of cardiac troponin (cTn) by point of care (POC) measurement, often referred to as a point of care testing (POCT). The use of high-sensitivity (hs)-cTn POC devices in accelerated diagnostic protocols used in emergency departments or outpatient clinics investigating acute coronary syndrome has the potential for improved efficacy, reduction of length of stay and reduced costs in the health care system. POCT workflow integration includes location of the instrument, assignment of collection and testing responsibility to (non-lab) staff, instrument maintenance, in-service and recurrent training, quality control, proficiency assessments, discrepant result trapping, and troubleshooting and inventory management.

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) at the preanalytical phase for POCT blood gas analysis: proposal for a shared proactive risk analysis model

OBJECTIVES

Proposal of a risk analysis model to diminish negative impact on patient care by preanalytical errors in blood gas analysis (BGA).

METHODS

Here we designed a Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) risk assessment template for BGA, based on literature references and expertise of an international team of laboratory and clinical health care professionals.

RESULTS

The FMEA identifies pre-analytical process steps, errors that may occur whilst performing BGA (potential failure mode), possible consequences (potential failure effect) and preventive/corrective actions (current controls). Probability of failure occurrence (OCC), severity of failure (SEV) and probability of failure detection (DET) are scored per potential failure mode. OCC and DET depend on test setting and patient population e.g., they differ in primary community health centres as compared to secondary community hospitals and third line university or specialized hospitals. OCC and DET also differ between stand-alone and networked instruments, manual and automated patient identification, and whether results are automatically transmitted to the patient's electronic health record. The risk priority number (RPN = SEV × OCC × DET) can be applied to determine the sequence in which risks are addressed. RPN can be recalculated after implementing changes to decrease OCC and/or increase DET. Key performance indicators are also proposed to evaluate changes.

CONCLUSIONS

This FMEA model will help health care professionals manage and minimize the risk of preanalytical errors in BGA.