Point-of-Care Testing of Blood Glucose: Clinical Performance and Laboratory Efficiency

Abstract

Introduction: Rapid laboratory glucose testing assists prompt on-site treatment for abnormal glycaemic episodes. New generation Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) for whole blood glucose analysis have high sensitivity and short processing time, which is competent for on-site rapid glucose testing. Aim: To assess the accuracy and Turn Around Time (TAT) of the POCT (Rightest GM700 Pro) compared with the Central Laboratory Testing (CLT) at a National Level, Urban Hospital. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of 1,812 patients was conducted for glucose testing at the Laboratory Department of Cathay General Hospital from November 2016 to November 2017. Consistency between GM700 Pro and Beckman Coulter AU680, used as CLT, was analysed. TAT was measured from phlebotomy to result availability in Laboratory information system (LIS). Two widely accepted standards for blood glucose meters ISO 15197:2013 (for self-monitoring) and USFDA Prescription Point-of-Care Use (for hospital use) were adopted to evaluate the accuracy. Pearson’s correlation and Passing-Bablok regression were used for the analysis. BlandAltman analysis was used to determine the agreement between POCT and CLT glucose results. Results: Linear regression analysis of GM700 Pro showed significant agreement (y=0.97×-0.89, r2 =0.99) with CLT. Results of TAT indicated that POCT generated glucose report for clinical decision-making was 7 times faster than CLT (p<0.0001) in general practice. Conclusion: Point-of-Care Testing GM700 Pro is reliable and efficient for on-site glucose analysis.

Keywords

• blood glucose analysis
• central laboratory testing
• clinical competence
• clinical laboratory information systems
• general practice
• turnaround time