Sterilab’s roots were grown from our seeds of knowledge in the field of Urinalysis and Point of Care and have since become well established as a renowned POCT and Healthcare diagnostics provider. From our experience over the last 40 years, we thought it may be helpful to share our short guide into the key areas to focus on to achieve the most effective results. It’s easier than you may think to implement a successful system, as long as you have paid attention to the pointers below.
1. Test strips
The importance of the urine test strip is sometimes underestimated, from signposting further tests and treatment to giving the all clear. Budget constraints can mean that people are pushed towards the cheapest offering; however, all things are not equal when it comes to test strips.
The reading scales and timing differ between brands – and small variances can make the difference when interpreting results. For ease of reading, choose one with a parallel printed scale that matches the spacing on the pads of the strip. Pay attention to the manufacturer’s storage recommendations, as some brands can only be used for a short time after first opening, requiring you to discard unused strips, whereas higher quality brands typically can be used right up to the expiry date. Errors occur because the lid has been left off, it’s more important than you think to replace the cap.
Parameters of strips can vary typically from a couple to around 11, so determine the ones that you need early in the process and ensure your provider can offer these with a reporting scale that is understandable and also relevant to your requirements.
2. Staff Training
A little training time goes a long way. An investment in a staff training package does not have to be difficult to manage and will ensure that regular updates on urinalysis techniques are delivered effectively. Many errors are not because of faulty strips or devices, but because of user error. Choosing a provider that is willing to work with your requirements and can provide you with Quick Guides, Videos and E-Learning packages that are simple yet effective!
3. Ascorbic Acid protected test strips
There is a high rate of false-negative dipstick results for haemoglobin in patients with high vitamin C in the urine. Using a strip that is Ascorbic Acid protected will ensure that results can be relied upon to be accurate. A Study on the High Incidence of Ascorbic Acid in the Urine in a West Coast Population highlights this clearly.
4. Quality Controls
Employing a 3rd party control (EQA) can identify issues with techniques as well as machinery (if used). A control that is suitable for both urinalysis and hCG can reduce costs and increase efficiency.
QCs offer an added layer of patient security and confidence in procedures. Ditching controls that need reconstituting and adopting a ready to use liquid control that your staff can use with ease will mean they save time and are more likely to use them. Look at employing a control that is used in a manner that simulates patient testing and also looks to replicate similar results.
5. Automated strip reading
A connected system will ensure that results are interpreted correctly, and abnormal results are flagged up in an efficient manner. A good system will also ensure results are reported back to your POCT team and will ensure that safety features, such as QC lockout and Operator and patient id, are an integral feature. Your team will use QCs and Operators will be managed effectively. This can reduce errors and ensure that all staff are undertaking tests uniformly as well as adhering to Quality Standards.
6. Unified Approach
All departments and wards if left to their own devices will all administer a slightly different approach and can cause a purchasing and management headache. By streamlining the system with having just one test strip, QC and reader, you ensure that costs are reduced and user errors are reduced (particularly with reporting intervals with different brands of test strips).
Research has shown that looking at the whole Trust can offer quite phenomenal savings, as well as improving efficiency and patient safety.
Sterilab Ongoing Support and Training
For support with your Urinalysis Sterilab Services can help you with all the above, we offer the complete solution including test strips, QCs and connected readers, all of which are supported by our specialist trainers. Quick Guides, Videos and an interactive eLearning package can be supplied and adapted to suit.
Whether you are looking for test strips with ascorbic acid protection or an automated connected reader, get in touch. The Urilyzer 100 Pro is well respected by nurses with full POCT management features and PPID (Positive Patient ID). It flags up abnormal results in red and prints onto sticky paper to attach to patient notes.
Our test strips range including the CombiScreen 11 range offer Ascorbic Acid protection and a parallel reading scale on the label (for visual reading) .
For more information, and to get the ball rolling, get in touch: sales@sterilab.co.uk or call 01423 523 300