Point-of-Care Hemoglobin Testing
Point-of-Care Hemoglobin Testing in Pediatrics
Point-of-Care (POC) Hemoglobin Testers are portable devices that provide rapid hemoglobin measurements using minimal blood volumes, making them particularly suitable for pediatric practice.
Key Features
- Results in 1-2 minutes
- Minimal blood volume (10-20 μL)
- Digital display with storage capacity
- Battery-operated portability
- Internal quality control
- Bluetooth/WiFi connectivity (newer models)
Common Devices
- HemoCue® Systems
- Hb 201+
- Hb 301
- Hb 801
- DiaSpect Hemoglobin T
- Mission® Hemoglobin Testing System
- HemoPoint® H2
Technology and Testing Methods
1. Measurement Principles
- Photometric Analysis
- Azide-methemoglobin method
- Wavelength specificity
- LED light source
- Spectrophotometry
- Multiple wavelength analysis
- Automatic calibration
- Background interference correction
2. Technical Specifications
- Measurement Range
- 0-25.6 g/dL typical range
- Resolution: 0.1 g/dL
- CV < 2% at normal levels
- Sample Requirements
- Capillary blood
- Venous blood
- Arterial blood
Operating Procedures
1. Pre-analytical Phase
- Device Preparation
- Power on and warm-up
- Self-test completion
- Cuvette/strip check
- Patient Preparation
- Hand washing/warming
- Site selection (finger/heel)
- Proper positioning
2. Sampling Technique
- Capillary Sampling
- Site cleansing
- First drop wiping
- Proper drop formation
- Correct sample volume
- Common Errors
- Air bubble inclusion
- Insufficient sample
- Delayed filling
- Contamination
Clinical Applications
1. Pediatric Uses
- Screening
- Anemia detection
- Well-child visits
- Pre-operative assessment
- Sports physicals
- Monitoring
- Iron deficiency treatment
- Chronic disease management
- Nutritional status
- Blood loss assessment
2. Special Populations
- Neonates
- Birth hemoglobin check
- Jaundice assessment
- NICU monitoring
- Chronic Conditions
- Thalassemia
- Sickle cell disease
- Chronic kidney disease
Quality Control and Maintenance
1. Quality Assurance
- Daily Controls
- Electronic self-test
- Liquid controls
- Documentation
- Calibration Verification
- Monthly checks
- Lot number tracking
- Performance monitoring
2. Result Interpretation
- Reference Ranges
- Age-specific values
- Gender differences
- Ethnic variations
- Critical Values
- Low threshold alerts
- High threshold alerts
- Action protocols
3. Troubleshooting
- Common Issues
- Error codes interpretation
- Sample problems
- Device malfunction
- Maintenance Schedule
- Daily cleaning
- Weekly checks
- Annual service
