ePoCT is an e-learning resource designed to help support organisations with training their staff in the use of Point-of-Care Testing (PoCT) systems to comply with the Department of Health’s new Accreditation System for pathology PoCT.

It has been developed by Royal College of Pathologists and the Association for Clinical Biochemistry in partnership with e-Learning for Healthcare (e-LfH) and other professional bodies.

An increasing amount of testing is being done at the point of care in hospitals, GP practices, high street pharmacies and other community settings as it is both quick and convenient. The Accreditation System sees the implementation of national standards to ensure that all testing, wherever it is done, is carried out to appropriate and consistent standards, as has been established in hospital laboratories, to ensure quality of care and patient safety.

ePoCT will provide a comprehensive theory resource intended to complement and enhance existing practical PoCT user training programs, many of which are provided by suppliers of PoCT systems.

The e-learning materials are being written by clinical specialists and experts in their particular field, and will be extensively peer reviewed. There are approximately 45 sessions, each around 20 minutes in length. Rich in the use of multimedia, they incorporate video clips, 3D animation, interactive exercises and real-life case studies, making for a modern, engaging and high quality learner experience.

ePoCT is scheduled to be available from early 2010.