The fall meeting of the NC Point Of Care Coordinators Network was held at Gaston Memorial Hospital in Gastonia on November 4, 2005 and featured the topics “Sources of Variation in POC Testing” and "Impact of Tight Glycemic Control Programs on the POCC".  Sherry Gant, the Point of Care Coordinator at Gaston, hosted the meeting.  This meeting had a good turnout of about 35 members; many of our wonderful vendors also attended the meeting.

Nancy Smith conducted a short business meeting prior to our speaker presentation. 

NC Point of Care Network Group officer for 2006:

Chairperson:
Debra Norkett,
Northeast Medical Center, Concord ,NC

Vice-Chairperson:
Sherry Gant
Gaston Memorial Hospital, Gastonia, NC

Secretary:
Kara Hallyburton 
Cleveland Regional Medical Center, Shelby, NC

Treasurers:
Kim Ballister and Shelia Cruthis
Moses Cone Memorial Hospital , Greensboro, NC

The 2006 meetings will be hosted in the spring by:

• Beverly Robertson, UNC Chapel Hill - SPRING
• Joyce Bowers, Forsyth Memorial Hospital, Winston-Salem, NC - FALL

Network Database

Nancy Smith announced that she has e-mailed the network database that outlines the point of care tests that each hospital performs.  This database was created as an aid for all members so they have a “go to” person to consult with about test methods and specific brands of tests used. 

Treasurers Report

Kim Ballister and Sheila Cruthis gave a brief Treasurers Report, informing us of the status of our finances. They also presented an idea to support a wish list of laboratory equipment in the Philippines.

“6 Degrees of Separation” Icebreaker

Prior to our speaker presentation, the members of the group participated in an “Icebreaker” activity.  This Icebreaker was intended to give us the opportunity to get to know each other better and to encourage networking among members of the group. We played “6 Degrees of Separation” and everyone seemed to have a good time.

“Sources of Variation in POC Testing”

Our speaker, Rick Lebo, sponsored by LifeScan, Inc, presented “Sources of Variation in POC Testing”.  This interactive discussion concluded with a review quiz of "real life" scenarios. After lunch he presented "Impact of Tight Glycemic Control Programs on the POCC". 

Throughout the day, Sherry Gant, Point of Care Coordinator for Gaston Memorial Hospital, raffled off numerous items donated by our many wonderful sponsors.  At the end of the day, speakers and sponsors were recognized.