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

Background: 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.

Objective: 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.

Methods: 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.

Results: 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.

Conclusion: 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.