Examples of Point of Care Testing which can be offered by a community pharmacy
Examples of Point of Care Testing which can be offered by a community pharmacy
POCT includes both quantitative and qualitative tests. Equipment can be divided into small, portable hand-held devices and larger bench-top or standalone devices. Some can be used by individuals in their home and others only by competently trained healthcare professionals. POCT technology can also be broadly categorised into the type of diagnostics it enables:
Screening and monitoring devices, e.g.:
- Blood pressure (BP) monitors
- Pulse oximeters (SpO2 monitors)
- Portable spirometers
Diagnostic test kits, eg:
- Blood glucose meters
- Urinalysis test strips
- Cholesterol tests
- Covid 19 tests
Therefore, a non exhaustive list of services that could be offered includes:
- Blood pressure monitoring
- Urinalysis for possible urinary tract infections
- Chlamydia and sexual health screening
- Blood glucose measurements
- Cholesterol testing
- Pregnancy testing
- Bowel Health screening
- Vitamin D Deficiency
- Bacterial Vaginosis
- Hypothyroidism
- Stomach Ulcer (H.pylori)
- Menopause Symptoms
- Male Fertility
- Iron Deficiency
- Drugs of Abuse
