L.14 Near Patient Testing Flashcards
What is the definition of Near Patient Testing (NPT)?
Clinical laboratory testing conducted close to the site of patient care, typically by clinical personnel whose primary training is not in the clinical laboratory sciences, or by patients (self-testing)
NPT refers to testing performed outside of the laboratory setting.
What was Near Patient Testing historically called?
Point of Care Testing (POCT)
The term has evolved to Near Patient Testing (NPT).
In what settings is NPT used in hospitals?
- Critical care setting (ICU/ED)
- Hospital wards
- Hospital outpatient departments (OPD)
These settings allow for immediate testing and results.
What community settings utilize NPT?
- Community testing (e.g. pharmacy, sports clinic, workplace)
- Primary care / GP
- Nursing home
- Ambulance triage
NPT in community settings can enhance accessibility to healthcare.
What is an example of self-testing at home under NPT?
Blood glucose, pregnancy test, INR testing
Self-testing allows patients to monitor their health conveniently.
List the NPT environments.
- Laboratory (within hospital setting)
- Ward/clinic (within hospital setting)
- GP / primary care (community healthcare setting)
- At home (non-healthcare setting)
These environments reflect the diverse locations where NPT can occur.
What are the types of NPT tests?
- Simple tests
- Moderate complexity tests
- High complexity tests
Types of tests include urine dipstick, capillary blood glucose, pregnancy test, urine microscopy, and blood gas analysis.
Name a simple test used in NPT.
Urine dipstick
Other examples include capillary blood glucose and pregnancy test.
What is a moderate complexity test in NPT?
Urine microscopy
This type of test requires more skills and equipment than simple tests.
What is a high complexity test in NPT?
Blood gas analysis
High complexity tests require advanced knowledge and equipment.
List three reasons to perform NPT.
- Improve quality of patient care
- Enhance efficiency of patient care
- Increase clinical and patient satisfaction
Additional reasons include improving patient education and minimizing the burden on central laboratories.
What does the ‘A’ in WHO ASSURED criteria stand for?
Affordable
The criteria ensure that the cost of tests and devices is low.
What does ‘Sensitive’ mean in the WHO ASSURED criteria?
Test should be able to detect low levels of analyte
Sensitivity is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
What does ‘Specific’ mean in the WHO ASSURED criteria?
Test should be able to detect only the analyte of interest
Specificity prevents false positives.
Fill in the blank: The test should be easy to use and interpret, which is referred to as _______.
Useable
This aspect is important for effective implementation in various settings.
What does ‘Rapid’ mean in the WHO ASSURED criteria?
Test should provide results quickly
Rapid results are essential for timely patient management.
What does ‘Equipped’ refer to in the WHO ASSURED criteria?
Test should be able to be performed in a variety of settings
This ensures accessibility to testing.
What does ‘Deliverable’ mean in the WHO ASSURED criteria?
Test should be able to be performed in a variety of settings
This emphasizes the importance of versatility in testing locations.
What is one advantage of NPT related to diagnosis?
Results may lead to a critical diagnosis, e.g. glucose + ketones = DKA
DKA stands for Diabetic Ketoacidosis, a serious condition that can occur in diabetes.
What advantage does NPT have regarding speed?
Reduced turnaround time as sample transport and procedure delays are avoided
This means that results can be obtained more quickly compared to traditional methods.
How does NPT contribute to reduced waste?
Smaller sample volumes are required, and fewer reagents are used
This efficiency can lead to cost savings and less environmental impact.
What is an advantage of NPT in terms of clinician-patient interactions?
Improved clinician patient confidence and can be used to guide treatment decisions
This suggests that NPT can enhance the quality of care provided.
In what way does NPT improve patient education?
Improved patient education and counselling
This can empower patients to manage their health more effectively.
What convenience does NPT offer to patients and clinicians?
Reduces the need for patients to travel to a laboratory or clinic for testing
This can make healthcare more accessible for patients.