Discussing ‘Reducing Errors at Point-Of-Care’ with Uchenna Okeahiala of Airedale and Bradford Hospitals Integrated Pathology Solutions, UK .
Graduated from University of Nigeria with a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences in 1989, Uchenna started her career as a Biomedical Scientist in Nigeria She relocated to the United Kingdom in 1991 where she obtained her Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences from University of Cardiff with a Distinction in 1996 and went on to score a certificate in management from the Open University (1999).
Later in 2006, she obtained a certificate in Extended Practice in Quality Management with Institute of Biomedical Sciences (IBMS).
Since then has worked in various NHS hospitals as a biomedical Scientist and currently working as an Advanced Biomedical Scientist and POCT Coordinator with the Integrated Pathology Solutions (IPS) at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust(BTHFT). IPS delivers pathology services to Airedale NHS Foundation Trust (ANHST) and BTHFT.
She is also the training Officer for the Biochemistry Department mentoring Trainees for both IBMS Registration and Specialist Diplomas. Uchenna Okeahiala is a fellow and Chartered Scientist member of IBMS
We interviewed Uchenna Okeahiala about her thoughts on the growing significance of the Point of care Testing amidst a Global pandemic. The role of POCT in dealing with Infectious diseases, her presentation at the Conference and her take on the conference program.
Question: What is the significance of Point of Care Testing in the time of global pandemic?
Uchenna Okeahiala:
Fast decision making/ reduction in cross infection or transmission due to availability of accurate rapid diagnostic tests/there is also the increased patients flow in assessment unit compared to waiting for centralised laboratory results e.g PCR testing
Question: How POCT is helping in diagnosis of Infectious Diseases and how it is significant in current situation.
Uchenna Okeahiala:
POCT plays a major role in providing an efficient diagnostic tool used to produce accurate and timely results of pathogens close to the patient
It is very significant in current situation as it reduces the waiting time to get a patient result, accelerates patient’s treatment while reducing spread of infection/outbreak.
Question: What are your views on the agenda and how helpful it is to the targeted audience.
Uchenna Okeahiala:
Agenda looks ok. The audience is more of a global one so each attendee would be able to take something out of the conference as topics are quite varied
Uchenna Okeahiala is one of the speakers at our 2nd Annual MarketsandMarkets Infectious Disease Diagnostics and Point-Of-Care Testing Virtual Conference being held on March 11th -12th, 2021.
She will be presenting on the Day 2 of the conference on the topic – ‘Reducing Errors at Point-Of-Care.’
To Know more about her presentation, visit our website – https://bit.ly/3gNnkOq
If you wish to learn a great deal from her about the POCT & Infectious diseases field then register online or email [email protected] to book your slot at the conference.
