GLUCOMETER ANNUAL COMPETENCY

In the past we have everyone perform the Quiz on the RALS-web site so its easy to look up and confirm who has or has not completed it, which has t/f questions and multiple part questions for critical thinking; then to complete competency they have to run a QC set observed and initialed on the meter -free text observer's initials in comments, and an observed patient test or we use a CAP PT sample also. This way we are able to get all six elements, direct observation included. We also have a booth at the annual nursing skills fair, although this year we are changing it to a mobile cart in each department with annual competencies like the meter/istat/bladder scanner etc.

I would love a smoother way and look forward to hearing what everyone else does.

We choose three - performing at least 1 patient test successfully and a QC check once per calendar year + completing a net learning quiz.  All is completed independently - no direct observation.

Renee - just curious - is your glucose meter a waived device?  If so, you are not required to meet all 6 elements per CAP or JC.  You may pick the elements you want to use. Do you have a state requirement that requires all six?

 While I admire your efforts at achieving all six elements, you did mention that you wished things could be easier, so I thought I'd pass this along.

Hello,

Penn Presbyterian Medical Center annual glucose competency include completing computer-based glucose module (called Knowledge Link).
Demonstration of competency is running low and high quality controls capture in our Alere database system.

Thanks,
Cherlyn

Cherlyn Bynum, BS MT (ASCP)
Point of Care Testing, Coordinator
UPHS-Penn Presbyterian medical Center
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Room W559
51 North 39th Street
Philadelphia, Pa. 19104
215-662-8737
215-243-8812-Fax
Cherlyn.Bynum@uphs.upenn.edu

"Every patient deserves the gold standard."

Jeremy,

Could you please tell me where you got your information.  I have never had to check all six elements for competency for waived testing.  Is this something new and when did it change?

Thanks,

Marcia Britt

I used the Nova StatStrip which is waived; and am inspected by the Joint Commission.

I use Net Learning for the Nova. I have a SCORM file from Nova that was loaded on Net Learning. It's a training/test module that the nurses are assigned each year.

Then they have to run the two levels of QC which is monitored through Telcor QML. Lastly, I rotate the units with CAP proficiency testing.

So basically they have to complete their Net Learning and the QC to be re-certified.

Jeremy,

We are cover by Joint Commission and CAP, have passed our inspections and we do not follow the guidelines you have stated.  I feel if we are in good standing with each of these entities we have no worries.  I had rather follow the guidelines and regulations of JC and CAP than what an attorney has deduced.  I think I'll find a new profession if we ever have to prove all six points for waived testing.

Thanks,

Marcia Britt, MT POCS

Point of Care Coordinator

Leah, we also use the waived Nova and are TJC inspected, but we do not order CAP proficiency surveys for the glucometers.  Is this an "above and beyond" that your facility does?

Jeremy,

We could discuss this all day and probably not agree.  We passed our State Inspection in March with flying colors.  We choose 3 points to prove and that works great for us.  Sorry you're doing all this extra work, but with over 800 users, we won't be going there.

Have a great day!

Marcai

Jade,

CAP requires PT participation on nonwaived tests as well as waived COM.01300. So unless I am misinterpreting that checklist requirement (which I am very new to this) if you are under CAP you still need to perform some sort of PT for all analytes.