Storage and Use of POC Testing Kits

Test kits can be stored at room temperature, as long as the temperature never exceeds 30° C. The temperature must be tracked daily and range between 2-30° C. Having Material Safety Data Sheets available for both the kits and controls is a WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) requirement. 

The temperature gauge used at the site should record the high and low temperature each day as well as the current temperature. This temperature must be tracked daily. A template for an environmental monitoring log (Excel, Word and PDF – 8.5 X 11) is provided for this purpose.

If a temperature outside 2-30°C is recorded, quality control testing of all stored kit lots must be done, before further client testing can continue.

Storage of Kits for Outreach Testing

If tests are being moved, or used at another location, be aware of the storage temperature. Kits should never sit out in the sun, or be left in a vehicle (e.g. car trunk). Because the acceptable storage temperature range goes as low as 2° C, kits can be refrigerated to protect them in extremely hot environments.

Ongoing Use of POC Testing Kits

Instruction on how to perform a rapid point of care test is available as a training module. Check each kit before use to make sure it has not been damaged and bring damaged kits to the attention of the Quality Assurance Lead. Damaged kits should be reported through the Inventory Management portal.

The lot number and expiry date of every kit should be recorded on the daily log as it is used. This will help your site monitor the inventory of kits and provide information about kit usage needed to order more kits. Do not switch back and forth between different lots of kits. The first kits to arrive should be used first.

Kits should be evaluated regularly with positive and negative controls. See the instructions in the training module: Quality Assurance and Inventory Management

Disposal of Expired Kits: Every effort should be made to use kits in sequence and not to allow kits to expire. However, if a kit does expire, it is sterile and does not require special treatment as a biohazard. It can be placed in the regular garbage. Please do not use clear plastic bags.