Point of Care Testing Policy

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Written by Pathology Team

The purpose of this document is to detail Trust policy and procedures for the appraisal of requests to use Point of Care Testing devices and for their introduction and use.

This policy extends to the appraisal, introduction and use of Point of Care Testing (POCT) devices in wards, clinics and departments within Ashford and St Peter’s Hospital Trusts and in Community based services served by the Trust. The central involvement of the pathology department in such activities is recognised by the Trust as it has been recognised by the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, the Joint Working Group on Quality Assurance and by Clinical Pathology Accreditation Ltd., the body charged with accrediting UK Clinical Pathology Departments.

This policy only covers tests and analytical processes that would traditionally be performed by Pathology Departments.