This page showcases innovative practice in diagnostic services across Scotland. This is with a view to share knowledge and best practice across the Scottish diagnostic community and beyond.
In doing this, the Network empowers Health Boards to adopt innovative approaches to healthcare delivery, and this is in line with the Shared Services Agenda and ‘Once for Scotland’ approach.
If you would like to contribute to this page or request further information about innovation, please email us on NSS.SCBMDN@nhs.net and we will be happy to help.
Jim Allison (Jamesallison@nhs.net)- NHS Grampian:
Connected POCT Services in Grampian Community Hospitals
Rebecca Pattenden (rpattenden@nhs.net) – NHS Lothian.
News
- Please click on the link which highlights the work undertaken by the different NHS Boards to improve the management of diabetic patients.
We currently have three Point of Care Testing (POCT) projects underway:
- HbA1c for diagnostic testing was implemented on 3rd October 2016. NHS Lothian are auditing the impact on requesting numbers
- Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) pilot in Radiology – so far this has resulted in four patients not being turned away for investigations due to lack of recent renal function results.
- iStat machines had been installed in Respiratory Clinics for Blood Gas testing.
- Sexual Health clinic are looking at getting a POCT device to test HCG levels in urine which would rationalise the service and make cost savings.
A business case for B-type Natiuretic Peptide (BNP) testing has been produced and we are planning to start a pilot project with involvement from primary care and cardiology.
We are rationalising the Urea and Electrolyte (U&E) profile, urea has recently been removed from primary care & bicarbonate will only be part of the profile for specific hospital locations.
A pilot of calprotectin testing in primary care has been carried out and funding is now secured for full roll out and additional analytical capacity and staffing.
| Innovation | Clinical field | Test | Location | Status | Board | contact |
| Improve management of diabetic patients who have a hypoglycaemic episode while in secondary care by utilising the connectivity of POCT glucose meters. | Diabetes | Glucose | POCT – connected | In routine use | Dumfries and Galloway | julia.anderson@nhs.net
|
| POCT -connected | In progress | Grampian | elaine.davidson@nhs.net
| |||
| Introduction of 0-3 hour rule-out algorithm using high sensitivity troponin T assay to facilitate early rule-out of acute coronary syndrome. | Cardiology and Acute medicine | High sensitivity troponin | Laboratory | In routine use | Dumfries and Galloway | kim.heathcote@nhs.net
|