Implementing point-of-care hemoglobin A1C testing in an obstetrics outpatient clinic

A1C ≥6.0% is associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes in pregnant diabetic patients. A1C testing is recommended by the American Diabetes Association as a secondary measure of glycemic control in pregnant patients.

To determine the utility of A1C point-of-care testing (POCT) during pregnancy to facilitate rapid counseling and diabetes care, particularly in relatively low-income transient patient populations.

We performed a single-center, retrospective analysis of patients presenting to an outpatient obstetrics office with routine, in-laboratory A1C testing, before and after the implementation of POCT for A1C (n = 70 and n = 75, respectively). Demographics, results, physician referral to a nutritionist, counseling, and outcomes were retrieved from patient electronic medical records.

In total, 9% and 23% of the in-laboratory and POCT groups, respectively, were referred for nutrition services (P = .02). Of these, 22% of the in-laboratory group and 42% of the POCT group received immediate counseling (P < .01). An inverse correlation was observed between A1C level at study entry and gestational weeks at delivery, with a Pearson r value of -0.39 (-0.58 to -0.16) for the in-laboratory group and -0.38 (-0.57 to -0.14) for the POCT group. No statistically significant difference in pregnancy outcomes was observed.

Implementation of A1C POCT was associated with immediate counseling and management of the health of pregnant patients, but was not associated with improved outcomes, in a low-resource patient population.