Watford General Hospital Accident and Emergency department, part of West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, features in a new video case study demonstrating how the installation of a new benchtop haematology analyser and remote access and monitoring solution from HORIBA Medical has enabled CPA compliant remote haematology analysis.
Point of care (POC) haematology analysis has been available at Watford General Hospital Accident and Emergency department for 10 years. However, following a CPA audit it was agreed a POC analyser able to deliver full audit trails was required to ensure complete CPA compliance.
In the video case study, Jo Nicholson, special haematology section manager at Watford General Hospital, explains: “In order for our POC haematology analysis to be fully CPA compliant we had to make some changes. We needed an analyser that would provide comparable results to the laboratory with a 5-part differential. We also needed a system that would link with the laboratory information systems (LIMS) and keep a record of all results. Finally, we required password protection and user ID so that we could track and manage operators and ensure only trained personnel were using the analyser.”
To ensure complete POCT CPA compliance, Horiba Medical installed an ABX Pentra 60C+ benchtop haematology analyser and Pentra SAfe solution at Watford General Hospital Accident and Emergency department. Meeting CPA requirements, the new Pentra SAfe solution enables full audit trails, remote monitoring and ensures secure access to the analyser through password protection. Staff in Accident and Emergency are running up to 80 samples a day on the new system, taking pressure off the busy central laboratory and meeting recommended four-hour targets for Accident and Emergency patients.
Having submitted evidence of the changes that have been implemented to meet the CPA POCT requirements, the remote haematology analysis at Watford General Hospital has passed with “flying colours”.
“We now have a solution in place that not only meets CPA requirements but that our medical staff trust and are extremely confident in using. The majority of patients are able to be admitted or discharged following POC results alone, ensuring less waiting time,” Jo Nicholson comments.
Watch the video and hear more from Jo Nicholson and Mr Ian Frankel, associate specialist in emergency medicine at Watford General Hospital: www.horiba.com/uk/medical/tv/watford-general-hospital-video-case-study/
