COVID-19 Instructions and Risk Assessments
All instructions and risk assessments for testing in patients with suspected or positive COVID-19 are listed below. This page will hold the most up to date version.
Abbott Freestyle Precision Pro glucose meters
Abbott i-STAT analyser
Roche influenza point of care unit
- POC influenza risk assessment
- POC influenza instruction
Hemocue Hb and WBC
Haematology QEUH
- Haemochrom risk assessment
- Rotem risk assessment
- Verify Now risk assessment
- Chairperson NHSGGC POCT Committee: Andrew Kerry, Consultant Clinical Scientist, Royal Alexandra Hospital
Please contact the relevant laboratory discipline in your sector if you are considering introducing a new POCT service in your area. Staff will be happy to talk you through the process and direct you to the paperwork required prior to approval and introduction of any service. As a first step we would encourage you to read the POCT policy and POCT checklist.
No new POCT service will be introduced or supported by the committee unless the POCT checklist is completed and signed off.
POCT Useful Documentation
What is Internal Quality Control?
Internal quality control (IQC) involves analysis of control material of known concentration within predefined limits. This ensures the quality of the results produced prior to reporting any patient results from the POCT device
What is External Quality Assurance?
External Quality Assurance (EQA) involves analysis of a sample of unknown value from an external, independent source. The results are scrutinised by the EQA scheme provider and allow comparison of results across multiple sites. Participation in EQA allows monitoring of performance and possible early detection of a systematic problem with analysis of patient samples.
Any site wishing to introduce a new POCT service must enrol in a recognised EQA scheme.
Audit
The POCT team will perform audit of the service and provide feedback to the service lead. The audit outcomes and any corrective and preventative action are documented in the laboratory quality management system.
The NHSGGC Point of Care Testing (POCT) committee meets bi-annually with the aim of policy-making and review of sector POCT groups. The committee also includes Primary Care representation with the aim of guiding appropriate POCT governance in the community. The POCT Co-ordinators management group meets quarterly, with multidisciplinary representation and includes user representation where appropriate. The group focus on implementation and monitoring of POCT activity within each sector.
If you use POCT in your clinical area you must ensure your device is registered with the NHSGGC POCT committee.
What is Point of Care Testing (POCT) Testing?
Point of Care testing is defined as ‘Diagnostic testing that is performed near to or at the site of patient care with the result leading to a possible change in the care of the patient.*’ This normally takes place in a non-laboratory setting by appropriately trained non-laboratory staff.
- ISO 227870: 2016 Point of Care Testing (POCT) – Requirements for Quality and Competence.
Potential Advantages of POCT
Rapid turnaround of results
- Reduced patient waiting times
- Earlier impact on clinical decision making
- Financial efficiencies
Less invasive
Accessibility
- Ability to reach remote places
- Improved healthcare access
Potential Disadvantages of POCT
Expensive compared to conventional laboratory testing
- Cost of consumables, IQC, EQA
- Staff resource required at source of testing
Sample quality
- Higher rate of pre-analytical errors are associated with POCT due to poor sample quality
Staff Training, competence and documentation
- Appropriate training and continued competency checks required to ensure accurate results
- POCT may need to be manually entered into patient record which is potentially problematic
Safety
- Clear protocols required for infection control, storage and disposal of clinical waste etc.
Point of Care Testing (POCT) Services Offered in NHSGGC
Please note, not all services are available in all sectors.
Biochemistry
Blood glucose and ketone analysis
Blood gas analysis
Urinalysis
Haematology
- Haemoglobin
- INR
- ROTEM analysis
- Verify Now antiplatelet drug monitoring
- White Cell Count
Microbiology/Virology
Allied Health Professions are a crucial part of the NHS, making up one third of the clinical workforce.
- Art Therapist
- Diagnostic Radiographer
- Dietitian
- Dramatherapist
- Music Therapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Orthoptist
- Orthotist
- Paramedic
- Physiotherapist
- Podiatrist
- Prosthetists
- Speech and Language Therapist
- Therapeutic Radiographer
The Return to Practice process enables you to re-register with the HCPC after a period of time away from your profession. There are many reasons why you may not have practiced such as caring/parental responsibilities, illness, travel or other career routes. We value the skills you have gained whilst you have been away and look forward to your return.
Different requirements apply depending on how long you have been out of professional practice.
NHS Careers Scotland has all the information you need about the steps to re-registration including the links to the HCPC who manage the final step.
Now is the time to return and help to deliver safe and effective care for the people of Scotland.
IENs and staff who support them should utilise these resources in order to facilitate a learning environment which allows them to consolidate their clinical skills and OSCE preparation course.
Internationally Educated Nurses resources
NES Cultural Humility Learning Resource
The NES Equality, Diversity and Human Right Team developed this digital learning resource to consider how our backgrounds and the backgrounds of others can impact our relationships. Subsequently launched by @NHSScotAcademy, it provides leaners with tools to develop their cultural humility values, attitudes and behaviours. What’s more, learners will benefit from the range of videos, reflective activities, scenarios and a resource pack.
Specifically, the NES Cultural Humility Learning Resource will enable learners to:
- Understand the concepts that underpin cultural humility
- Identify the key behaviours for supporting an inclusive workplace
- Apply a reflective approach aimed at transforming practice in health and social care
Both health and social care staff can easily access the NES Cultural Humility Learning Resource from any laptop, computer or smart device through their TURAS account.
NMC Resources and Welcome to the UK workshops
Other resources
RCN: Journey of an Internationally educated nurse short film series
The RCN launched a series of short films detailing first-hand accounts from IENs on their experience of moving to the UK.
NHSGGC BME Staff Network
The Black And Minority Ethnic (BME) Staff Network was established in 2018. This followed a consultation with key stakeholders about their lived experience. The Network is working closely with the Workforce Equality Group to continuously improve the workplace experience of BME staff. Please click above link for further information.
Presentation for staff supporting IENs (UK based cohort)
LNs/SCNs/DCNs and staff who support IENs (UK based cohort) within the clinical area are invited to the next Internationally Educated Nurse information presentation. Afterward, there will be time for Q & A’s. Both the presentation and Q & A’s will take approximately 1 hr.
Thursday, 19th December 2024 at 2pm – 3pm
Thursday, 16th January 2025 at 2pm – 3pm
Review presentation
Alcohol and Drug Snapshot
Our team produces and circulates a monthly Alcohol and Drug Snapshot that provides a range of information including resources, research articles, reports, events, learning and funding opportunities.
If you would like to sign up to receive our Snapshot, please contact ggc.mhead@nhs.scot*.
*Please note that this is a generic admin inbox and not monitored immediately. If you, or someone you know are in distress and need an immediate response call the emergency services on 999 or NHS24 on 111.
Latest Snapshots – ’12 Days of Harm Reduction’
Previous Editions
Communications
In addition to our core work plan, members of our team provide supplementary support functions including
- representation on local and Board wide dedicated alcohol and drug structures and allied topic structures, funding and recruitment panels,
- strategic policy development,
- workforce development and networking opportunities,
- resource development and training development, delivery and evaluation,
- consultation, advice and report writing,
- research, monitoring and evaluation,
- commissioning and contract management,
- budget and project management,
- staff recruitment panels, staff induction and on going support
The NHSGGC Alcohol and Drugs Health Improvement Team are a Greater Glasgow and Clyde wide team who support our colleagues and partners across the six Alcohol and Drug Partnerships to promote alcohol and drug public health and equalities across the six Integrated Health and Social Care partnerships in Greater Glasgow and Clyde – East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, Renfrewshire, and West Dunbartonshire.
We share updates about the work we are undertaking with partners across key priority areas, share useful resources, research and policy information to help you deliver on the alcohol and drug harms agenda. We are part of the wider Mental Health, Alcohol and Drugs Health Improvement Team.
Contact the NHSGGC Alcohol & Drugs Health Improvement Team
- Trevor Lakey, Health Improvement and Inequalities Manager – Mental Health, Alcohol and Drugs
- Jo McManus, Health Improvement Lead, Drug Prevention and Harm Reduction
- Maureen O’Neill Craig, Health Improvement Lead, Alcohol
- Graeme Mathew, Health Improvement Senior, Alcohol Brief Intervention
- Claire Marie Blair, Health Improvement Senior – Drugs
- Admin, Owen Breen and Donald Boyle
- Please note that these inboxes are not monitored immediately. If you, or someone you know are in distress and need an immediate response call the emergency services on 999 or NHS24 on 111.
Address
- Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership Headquarters – Commonwealth House, 32 Albion Street, Glasgow, G1 1LH
Get in touch
If you have any questions about our team or our work, please get in touch with us by emailing ggc.mhead@nhs.scot.