Consultation opens for draft POCT Standard
Aged care providers have been invited to engage in the consultation process for the draft Point of Care Testing Standard, due to be released in 2026.
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care is seeking feedback from aged care providers who offer Point of Care Testing on the draft standard.
The POCT standard aims to enhance patient safety, ensure quality assurance and promote consistent practices across different care settings when conducting POCT – medical tests done at or near a patient’s location to provide rapid results for clinical decision-making.
It also hopes to maintain a relevant framework as technology develops.
The commission has opened an online survey and is looking for feedback via written submissions. In February 2026 it will host an online focus group.
A series of consultation resources have also been published, including a draft of the standard, a consultation overview and questions for those wanting to make written submissions.
The window to participate in the online survey and submit written submissions closes on 12 December.
After the consultation period, the commission will analyse the feedback with the National Pathology Accreditation Advisory Council and the Point of Care Testing Working Group. It will then finalise the POCT standard for a 2026 release.
More information on how to provide feedback can be found here.
