Critical diagnostic services are available in Maple Creek and surrounding communities

Story

New equipment in the Southwest Integrated Health-Care Facility in Maple Creek is supporting a pilot on point of care testing (POCT).

This equipment allows for certain diagnostic tests to be performed in emergency room departments by trained nursing and other qualified staff when regular clinical laboratory services are temporarily unavailable, enabling emergency department services to remain open.

Point of care testing equipment in Maple Creek

Shown here is the Abbott i-STAT 1 system that is quick and efficient to use. The steps include:

  • Insert two or three drops of blood into the cartridge
  • Close the cartridge and insert into the i-STAT handheld
  • View the results on the handheld screen within minutes
LPN demonstrating point of care testing equipment in Maple Creek
Point of care testing equipment in Maple Creek demonstration
Kristy McKinnon, a Saskatchewan Health Authority Licensed Practical Nurse, demonstrates how to use the point of care testing equipment.