Point of Care Testing (POCT)   Canterbury Health Laboratories is committed to ensuring high-quality, timely laboratory testing are available to requesters to maximise patient care. We are proud to be accredited to the POCT standard ISO 22870, particularly as CHL was the first medical diagnostic laboratory in the world to achieve this accreditation.

Canterbury Health Laboratories is continually reviewing processes, as technology and the needs of the clinicians changes. The laboratory has a dedicated team responsible for the implementation and ongoing training and support of clinical staff throughout the Canterbury District Health Board in both primary and secondary care.

POCT systems are maintained and run in many key areas of Christchurch Hospital and it’s associated satellite services. Canterbury Health Laboratories is also developing this testing medium in the community, and are working with INR testing in GP practices in both urban and rural settings. Regardless of the location Canterbury Health Laboratories are quality focussed to ensure accurate results with the appropriate laboratory support.

POCT at CHL is responsible for maintaining laboratory accreditations (ISO 22870 standards) for Point of Care Testing in the community pharmacies. This includes:

	Training of new pharmacies on CaguChek Devices
	Quality control programs
	Support and maintenance of POCT equipment