Our projects

Evaluation of operator training, quality assurance, and quality control program for point-of-care testing for HCV infection

Status

 

Investigators

Heather Valerio, Maryam Alavi, Anna Conway….. Gregory J Gore, Jason Grebely: ETHOS Engage Study Group. The International Jounral on Drug Policy (Volume 105).

The Problem

One of the most critical aspects in the implementation of new point-of-care testing programs is the development of clinical education, operator training and competency assessment, and appropriate risk and quality management standard operating procedures, training resources, training delivery formats and training and competency assessments. A standardised training program has been developed through the Kirby Institute, Flinders University International Centre for Point-of-Care Testing, St. Vincent’s Hospital, and the Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM). Flexible training resources have been developed specifically for operator use in the required clinical settings. Just commenced, the training program will continue be delivered to operators using well established training pathways via remote learning platforms, such as GoToMeeting, website tutorials, and other online resources. The training will include pre-analytical (e.g. specimen collection, cartridge preparation, analytical (e.g. test operation including use of software and middleware) and post-analytical components (results interpretation and recording, waste disposal, and environmental decontamination) required to accurately perform patient tests. The HCV point-of-care testing program will also implement a quality management system, consistent with best-practice and regulatory standards and based upon successful existing programs currently in place for infectious disease point-of-care testing.

The Solution

This project will prospectively evaluate the effectiveness of the operator training with regard to knowledge improvement, practical competency and professional conduct for performing point-of-care testing for HCV infection. This data will be useful in the assessment of training effectiveness across different trainee occupations and will be used in the continual quality improvement of training programs for scale-up of point-of-care testing.

Related Publications 

Selected oral presentation “Evaluation of operator training, quality assurance, and quality control program for point-of-care testing for HCV infection”,

presented at the 1st Australian Conference on point of care testing for infectious disease, POC23 March 15th, 2023

Related projects 

Declining prevalence of current HCV infection and increased treatment uptake among people who inject drugs: The ETHOS Engage Study.

Heather Valerio, Maryam Alavi, Anna Conway….. Gregory J Gore, Jason Grebely: ETHOS Engage Study Group. The International Jounral on Drug Policy (Volume 105).

Progress Towards elimination of Hepatitis C Infection among people who inject drugs in Australia:

Heather Valerio, Maryam Alavi, David Silk….. Gregory J Dore, Jason Grebely on behalf of the ETHOS II Study Group. Clinical Infectious Disease (Volume 73, Issue 1)

Selected oral abstract “Assessment of the training and quality systems developed for the TTANGO3 (Test, Treat And GO) sexually transmitted infection (STI) point-of-care testing network”,

at the 1st Australian Conference on point of care testing for infectious disease, POC23 March 15th, 2023.