Mobile unit and POC

We do not have mobile units at our hospital but I would think temperature control and monitoring would need to be addressed.  Each instrument may operate at different temperature ranges and some may be affected by humidity.

I'd be interested to know how this has been done successfully. We were asked to do this during COVID to mobilize the endocrine and diabetes clinic. The concerns about temp prevented this from happening. They were going to shut down the bus when not in use - so no electricity and no heat/cooling. 

This is the first year we have a mobile unit and have decided to place very few instruments onboard.  The only instrument on board is just a glucometer.  The mobile unit is permanently temperature controlled but we had concerns about how it would do in the winter and summer months. We currently have staff removing POC testing supplies and keeping it in a wagon in a temperature controlled room in our hospital when the mobile unit is not in use.  Instead of a Clinitek we have staff using manual urine screens so that there are less items to bring on and off.  Staff have found this wagon easy to use and so far so good.  I have been surprised that this past winter, temperatures have been maintained in the mobile unit so this might be reevaluated in the future. 

We are preparing for 2 mobile units.  Test menu similar to what you've mentioned, along with several rapid tests.  Temperature and humidity are very much on our minds.  The plan is for equipment to be taken off the van when not in use and stored in a location with a controlled environment.  Of course, both the van and garage would need to have temperature and humidity recorded.  We will be working on a plan to secure analyzers when the unit is "mobile".  We're also concerned about movement of equipment when the van (actually a motor home) is parked.  During a tour we confirmed that there is movement when someone steps on and off the vehicle.  Vibration can cause our A1c analyzer to throw an error code.

We talked to CAP when home health started doing off site visits.  There was a modification made to the CAP certificate.  I don't know if this would apply but it sounds like it might.  I would suggest letting CAP know of your plans.