A comprehensive point-of-care testing solution—an asset for the ED

Orthez Hospital in Orthez, France, chose the comprehensive point-of-care testing solution from Radiometer and reduced waiting time in their emergency department

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The Orthez Hospital needed to address urgent clinical testing needs in their emergency department (ED) following a major reorganisation of their regional hospital testing laboratories in 2018.

They chose to set up point-of-care testing within the emergency department to meet these needs using a comprehensive solution from Radiometer.

The Radiometer solution appeared to be the most complete and comprehensive solution possible for remote lab testing.

- Caroline Solans, point-of-care testing manager

Caroline Solans, point-of-care testing manager

Defining the essential test panel and choice of analysers in collaboration with clinicians

A steering committee consisting of clinicians, biologists, and hospital management determined the parameters for point-of-care testing. They had the following criteria:

  • Critical urgent tests for optimal patient care in the emergency department
  • Tests with a preanalytical delay incompatible with long routing
  • Availability of reliable point-of-care analysers allowing these tests to be carried out

Maximum number of parameters from a minimum number of analysers

To make it easier for nurses and to simplify the deployment and management of the analysers by the laboratory, the steering committee wanted a maximum number of parameters for as few different analysers as possible.

Creatinine and analyser ease-of-use: key requirements for clinicians

According to Caroline Solans, point-of-care testing manager at Orthez Hospital, creatinine was a key requirement. “In order to be able to close the lab and set up point-of-care testing, creatinine was a key requirement of our clinicians.”


Ms. Solans adds, “In addition, regarding the choice of analysers, the steering committee considered various elements, such as ease of use by health care staff (state-certified nurses) who carry out the tests.”

Choosing a complete and comprehensive solution for point-of-care testing

Orthez Hospital chose the Radiometer solution for their point-of-care testing.


“The Radiometer solution appeared to be the most complete and comprehensive solution for point-of-care testing”, says Ms Solans. “In addition, the ABL90 FLEX PLUS and the AQT90 FLEX have similar user interfaces, which simplifies operator training. They are very reliable in terms of connecting with the LIS (Laboratory Information System).

What’s more, biologists can choose to add a blood count and PT-INR to complement the off-site lab bench. These analysers are connected and managed remotely by AQURE, the Radiometer middleware.”

Our choice was made easier because Radiometer made it possible to integrate creatinine without adding automated systems and offered a comprehensive solution. The AQURE-AQT-ABL meets our needs!

- Caroline Solans, point-of-care testing manager

New organisation and comprehensive POCT solution from Radiometer help cut turnaround time by up to 90 minutes

As part of the roll-out of the point-of-care testing solution, a dedicated team, made up of biologists and reference technicians, was formed. The roles of the laboratory and emergency teams were clearly defined and communicated.


Ms. Solans explains that point-of-care testing is reserved for patients in the emergency department and in life-threatening emergencies for patients in other departments. The Radiometer POCT solution makes it possible to process the urgent test panel while the rest of the lab tests are submitted to the Common Biology Laboratory of the Pau technical platform via shuttle system.

“This new organisation has made it possible to cut the waiting time for test results by 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes,” says Ms. Solans. “Consequently, the length of a patient's stay in the emergency room has decreased by 30 minutes on average.”

POCT helps support the control of ordering lab tests at Orthez Hospital

According to Ms. Solans, the Medical Equipment Commission (CME) discussed and established rules for ordering lab tests: with point-of-care testing reserved for life-threatening emergencies and for tests with very short preanalytical deadlines in care services.

As a result, each department carrying out point-of-care-testing signs a clinical lab agreement with the laboratory. This agreement defines the needs and commitments of each party and enables a smooth workflow between the departments and the lab.

About the hospital

  • Orthez Hospital belongs to the Béarn et Soule Regional Hospital Group
  • Located approximately 50 kilometers from its support site, the Pau Hospital
  • More than 350 beds and 3 medical centers
  • Accident & Emergency (24/7) (ER)
  • 12,000 to 13,000 treated at the A&E (ER)
  • Analysers: ABL90 FLEX PLUS, AQT90 FLEX and AQURE
  • Contact: Ms. Caroline Solans, point-of-care testing manager
MAPSSS-000820 R1

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