Study Guide

Objectives

The aim of the course is to develop proficiency in the basics of point-of-care (POC) testing.

After completion of the course the student:
• has a grasp of the basics of point-of-care testing and its application in healthcare
• is familiar with guidelines, standards, and quality systems guiding the practice
• is able to provide guidance to patients and healthcare personnel on matters related to point-of-care testing
• understands the significance of high-quality pre-analytics and be able to assess the suitability of samples for analysis
• knows the principles governing test selection, methods, implementation, and quality assurance
• embraces the role of a biomedical laboratory scientist in multi professional collaboration and as a promoter of quality in point-of-care testing.

Content

• Point-of-care (POC) testing and its purpose in healthcare
• External analysis and its purpose in healthcare
• Methods, equipment, and measurement principles of point-of-care testing
• Criteria for test selection
• Validation and verification practices and assessments related to procurement and implementation, usage, and maintenance
• Quality management, quality standards guiding work, quality systems, and recommendations in point-of-care testing
• Point-of-care testing as interdisciplinary collaboration

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

The student identifies recommendations, standards, and quality objectives that guide their own activities in point-of-care testing. The student can define the application areas and operating principles of the point-of-care devices used. The student can systematically test the operation and measurement methods of the point-of-care devices in use under supervision. The student can compare values obtained through different methods, sample forms, and handling techniques, and draw simple conclusions between the methods under supervision.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

The student applies recommendations, standards, and quality objectives guiding their own activities in point-of-care testing . The student can explain the most common methods used in point-of-care testing and the measurement and operation principles of the point-of-care test devices covered in the course. Under guidance, the student can use, maintain, and test the point-of-care devices in use, along with their operation and measurement methods. The student can compare values obtained through different methods, sample forms, and handling techniques, and draw simple conclusions between the methods.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student applies recommendations, standards, and quality objectives guiding their own activities in point-of-care testing and can justify their actions. The student can comprehensively describe the methods used in point-of-care testing and the measurement and operation principles of the point-of-care test devices covered in the course. The student can independently, with the aid of instructions, use, maintain, and test the point-of-care devices in use, along with their operation and measurement methods. The student can compare and analyze values obtained through different methods, sample forms, and handling techniques, and draw simple conclusions between the methods.