POC Lead Testing?

We do lead testing at POC using the Leadcare II instrument, implementing in the last year. The test method itself is quite easy to use and maintain. The only hiccup with the test kit is that we do not use the entire kit before the QC expires for that kit. We have been told that we can request new QC directly from the company but that has not worked out well with our requests.

Word of caution about this test result needing to be reported to the State Health Department. We are still working out a direct report from Epic using HL7. Currently, our Practice managers need to ensure reporting. This is not without its own issues.

Overall...it's good.

We also use the LeadCare II instrument in two of our clinics for about a year. We have not had any major issues thus far. It seems like the quality control must be mixed very thoroughly and sometimes the nurses who perform do not do this. They, at times, haven't been too attentive to the fact that the result was out of range. :( However typically I have mixed and ran again and it has been fine. It is a little bit of a steppy procedure but it is waived which is nice. Our nurses typically do the lead along side a hemoglobin using the Hemoccue with a finger stick for the pediatric screenings.