Point-of-care screenings at the University of Minnesota: Mechanism for civic engagement

Objectives: To describe Wellness Initiative of the Northland (WIN) screening events; present participant results from those events; discuss the benefits of pharmacist-conducted, community-based point-of-care (POC) testing to medically underserved patients and to the profession of pharmacy; and describe logistical considerations in launching disease screening services. Setting: Pharmacist-led community health fairs in a variety of settings, including shopping malls, churches, community pharmacies, senior residence facilities, critical-access hospitals, and clinics. Practice description: Disease screenings for economically disadvantaged residents of northeastern Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin, held between 2005 and 2012, through WIN. Practice innovation: Mobile POC screenings for dyslipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, and osteoporosis. Main outcome measure: Percentage of screenings with out-of-range readings. Results: Since 2005, WIN screenings have served more than 2,000 individuals, providing 4,152 POC screenings. Out-of-range readings were obtained for 40.3% of fingerstick cholesterol tests, 24.8% of fingerstick blood glucose tests, 24.3% of blood pressure tests, and 38.7% of quantitative ultrasound heel bone density readings. Conclusion: Community-conducted POC testing functions both as an important public health service and a mechanism by which pharmacists and student pharmacists can become involved in civic engagement.