Hemoglobin A1C drive-thru collection for DCA Vantage Analyzer

Gotta admit, this didn't occur to me as a 'drive-thru' option! I guess that's because the only POC A1c we provide are in association with the patient visit so the MD can discuss results along with care plan - in person.

Our telehealth patients are going to one of our draw stations for venipunctures since our draw stations no longer perform POCT (since personnel in draw station now fall under 'lab' and not 'clinic' where the draw station is located). This includes chronic care, PT INR, A1c etc.

Will be interested to see if anyone is doing this!

Peggy

Brigitt

WE have available a CLIA waived POC A1C , fast ,simple and very accurate A1C Sales Sheet.pdf

Hi!

I manage both our hospital region and medical group clinic POC locations and we have begun doing this a few weeks ago.  I reviewed the medical group's proposal and then sent it to my team to research each test they wanted to perform at the "drive-through".  We then drafted a response based on our review that discussed temperatures (Colorado in the spring, yikes), timing of samples, and ideas we had to logistically and physically prepare for the testing.  Based on our response, the clinic team put together their testing plan and implemented it a few weeks ago.  Across our system, most of our outpatient lab testing has moved to drive through options, both for routine lab collection as well as antibody and PCR collection for COVID.  At this time, these structures are not being considered temporary and will likely become our new normal. 

Specifically for A1C, you will want to see if each of your locations can perform testing on the capillary tube fast enough OR collect into an EDTA.  Depending on the temps in your regional location, you might need to consider hand/finger warmers. :)

Mary

The drive up location would be close to the DCA Analyzer for the capillary collection in order to put the cartridge on the DCA analyzer within the 5 minute window. Timing of each drive up patient would have to be monitored because the run time is 6 minutes per analyzer. Do you currently do any drive thru capillary sample collection for POC analyzers? Can you share any protocols? Thanks!

Many of our ambulatory locations have physician's office labs and the nursing/CSTs perform the POC testing. The idea is to collect the capillary sample by a drive-thru means, place the sample in the DCA cartridge, and go to the POL location to place in on the DCA analyzer. This would particularly be used at one of our large diabetes clinic. I'm wondering if anyone one has done any drive-thru capillary sample collections and can share their process/protocol. Let's see if anyone is doing anything similar to this.

First, this is a very interesting and out of the box thinking in a Covid19 era.  Patients with Diabetes need their HbA1c test every 90 days so they and their healthcare professionals can properly monitor and manage their diabetes control and avoid short and long term complications.  With Covid19 drive thru testing going to be the "norm" for awhile, what a great opportunity to take advantage of this situation to deliver better care for these patients with diabetes, in a safe environment, covering several critical medical points in a one stop situation.  The patient either has their results before they drive away, depending on the Covid19 test and HbA1c test, so they are aware immediately what their circumstances are and if more immediate medical attention is needed and/or follow up with a virtual visit with their healthcare provider to review these results.

Now, I will let you know, I work for Siemens Healthineers, and manufacturer of a POC Hba1c test, but seeing someone, from another company using this professional site to promote a product, I thought, was not the purpose for this site nor should any commercialization take place here.  If I'm wrong, please correct me.

Over the years, not being a healthcare professional, but working with many of your colleagues, I have become, not an expert, but pretty educated on the topic of diabetes management and HbA1c testing so I appreciate being on this site and learning something new every day from the professionals who do participate on this site for that reason; the exchange of ideas in order to provide the best medical care available.

Please let me know about my comments here and if I am incorrect on any of these points.

Respectfully,

BHearne/Siemens Healthineers.

Brian

Actually this site is about helping each other to improve patient care with new ideas and approaches. So unfortunately rather then trying to suggest improvements to help patients you chose to criticize anyone with a suggestion that would help our healthcare heroes improve patients diagnosis and improvement of care . Unfortunately you haven’t the product to help anyone so you chose the negative approach which is really a poor reflection on you.

It was my understanding that this group is for medical professionals that are managing their Point of Care Testing program in various settings.  It is a place to ask advice and share information honestly about experiences and products.  Although I realize that vendors do join these groups, it is not the forum for vendors to advertise products. 

Please see the post from Bill Donohue, one of the sponsors of this listserve.  He's asking for comments on a vendor policy on this listserve.

I don't like seeing vendors selling on any listserve, but can support Bill's proposal since it is a sponsored listserve. 

Mike Kraus your comments to Brian Hearne were very unprofessional in my opinion.

Not trying to advertise anything but make people aware that there is an easy solution to testing for the A1C at the point of care which is critical for a lot of Covid patients. It is surprising of the number of people who are not aware of whats available that will help them.I speak with them everyday.

I too am curious as to how you are handling the billing? We do not have drive up collection and testing for POC but have seen POC testing happen after a related Telephone or a virtual physician visit. Is the patient having some type of visit (RN or Lab) scheduled?

Thank you,

Mary Jo

Hi!

For our set up, the testing is tied either to a telehealth visit where they had a virtual visit and the test was ordered (most common) or one where the provider noted that they are past due for their testing and ordered it as a nurse visit where testing is performed and tied to that visit (less common).  Does this help the billing questions?

Mary

Good morning,

Yes that helps. I have one more question. We are interfaced for results to upload to the EMR. In order for us to connect the result to a telehealth visit the provider would have to leave the visit open. Is this the same for you? Or do you follow another process?

Thanks,

Mary Jo