HbA1c testing provides healthcare professionals with an important indication of a person’s longer-term blood glucose control. Unlike a standard blood glucose test, which measures glucose at a particular moment, an HbA1c test reflects average blood glucose levels over approximately the previous eight to twelve weeks.
Traditionally, HbA1c testing has involved taking a blood sample and sending it to a laboratory. Point-of-care systems now allow trained healthcare professionals to obtain an HbA1c result during the patient’s appointment.
The BHR A1CNow+ HbA1c Blood Testing System is a compact professional testing system designed to provide results in approximately five minutes using a small fingerstick blood sample.
This guide explains how point-of-care HbA1c testing works, where the A1CNow+ system may be used and what healthcare providers should consider before introducing it into their testing workflow.
What Is HbA1c?
HbA1c stands for glycated haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is the protein contained within red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body. When glucose is present in the bloodstream, some of it attaches to haemoglobin.
The amount of glucose attached to haemoglobin can provide an indication of average blood glucose levels over the previous eight to twelve weeks. This makes HbA1c testing different from a conventional finger-prick glucose test, which provides a measurement for a specific point in time.
HbA1c testing is commonly used by healthcare professionals as part of:
- Diabetes monitoring programmes
- Assessment of longer-term glycaemic control
- Structured diabetes reviews
- Clinical risk assessments
- Professional screening programmes
- Discussions about treatment and lifestyle management
HbA1c results should always be interpreted by an appropriately trained healthcare professional alongside the patient’s clinical history and any other relevant investigations.
What Is Point-of-Care HbA1c Testing?
Point-of-care testing refers to diagnostic testing performed close to the patient rather than in a central laboratory.
In an HbA1c setting, this means that a trained healthcare professional can collect a small capillary blood sample, perform the test and review the result during the same appointment.
This approach may be particularly useful in environments where rapid access to an HbA1c result can support an immediate clinical discussion.
Potential advantages of point-of-care HbA1c testing include:
- Results available during the patient’s appointment
- Reduced reliance on off-site laboratory processing
- Fewer delays between testing and discussing the result
- Support for immediate patient engagement
- Portable equipment suitable for different clinical rooms
- Potentially simpler workflows in appropriate healthcare settings
Point-of-care testing does not remove the need for clinical governance, quality control, appropriate staff training or compliance with local testing protocols.
Introducing the BHR A1CNow+ HbA1c Testing System
The A1CNow+ is a portable, professional point-of-care HbA1c testing system. It is designed to provide a quantitative HbA1c result using a small capillary whole-blood sample collected from a fingerstick.
The professional 10-test pack combines a handheld analyser with the components required to perform ten individual HbA1c tests.
Key features include:
- HbA1c results in approximately five minutes
- Small sample volume of approximately 5 microlitres
- Capillary whole-blood testing
- Compact and portable analyser
- Ten individual tests supplied
- Minimal training requirements
- No routine analyser maintenance
- Built-in calibration and quality-control features
- IFCC traceability
- NGSP certification
- CE-marked professional testing system
Its compact format enables the system to be used in different consultation rooms or suitable community healthcare environments without installing a large laboratory analyser.
How Quickly Does A1CNow+ Provide a Result?
The A1CNow+ system produces an HbA1c result in approximately five minutes.
This rapid turnaround can allow the result to be considered during the same consultation in which the sample is collected. Healthcare professionals may therefore be able to discuss longer-term blood glucose control with the patient without waiting for a separate laboratory report.
Immediate availability of the result may support more focused conversations about medication, lifestyle, monitoring and the patient’s wider diabetes management plan.
Clinical decisions must still follow applicable professional guidance, local policies and the patient’s individual circumstances.
How Much Blood Does the Test Require?
The A1CNow+ requires a small capillary whole-blood sample of approximately 5 microlitres.
The sample is usually collected by fingerstick and processed using the components supplied with the testing system. This low sample-volume requirement can make collection more convenient than procedures requiring a larger venous blood sample.
Only trained healthcare professionals should operate the professional A1CNow+ system. Users must follow the current manufacturer’s instructions for sample collection, preparation, testing and disposal.
Where Can the A1CNow+ System Be Used?
The portable format makes the A1CNow+ suitable for a variety of professional healthcare environments, subject to local governance and testing requirements.
Potential settings include:
- GP surgeries
- Diabetes clinics
- Community health services
- Outpatient departments
- Pharmacy-led clinical services
- Occupational health providers
- Mobile healthcare services
- Structured health-screening programmes
Before introducing point-of-care HbA1c testing, an organisation should ensure that appropriate clinical oversight, staff training, infection-control procedures, quality assurance and record-keeping arrangements are in place.
What Is Included in the 10-Test System?
The professional A1CNow+ 10-test configuration includes the handheld analyser and the components needed to perform ten HbA1c tests.
The system generally includes:
- A portable A1CNow+ analyser
- Ten individual test cartridges
- Sample treatment or dilution components
- Blood collection components
- Manufacturer’s operating instructions
Users should check the product packaging and current manufacturer’s instructions before use, as supplied components and packaging may be updated.
Does the A1CNow+ Require Calibration?
The A1CNow+ is designed as a self-contained testing system with calibration incorporated into its test configuration. It does not require the routine maintenance associated with many larger laboratory analysers.
However, this does not mean that quality assurance can be ignored.
Healthcare providers should establish a documented quality-control process based on the manufacturer’s instructions, local regulations and their organisation’s point-of-care testing policy.
Quality controls may be required when:
- A new shipment is received
- A new test lot is opened
- Storage conditions may have been compromised
- An unexpected result or operating issue occurs
- Required by the healthcare organisation’s testing policy
Staff should record quality-control activity and follow the applicable procedure if a control result falls outside the expected range.
Understanding A1CNow+ Storage Requirements
Correct storage is essential for maintaining test performance and shelf life.
Professional A1CNow+ 10-test kits can be stored refrigerated at a temperature between 2°C and 8°C until the stated expiry date.
When stored at room temperature between 18°C and 28°C, the kit can be kept for up to four months. If the kit is moved between refrigerated and room-temperature storage, the cumulative period spent at room temperature should not exceed four months.
Healthcare providers should:
- Check the expiry date before performing a test
- Monitor and document storage temperatures
- Protect the testing components from unsuitable environmental conditions
- Record when a refrigerated kit is first moved to room-temperature storage
- Follow the current instructions supplied with the particular test lot
A test kit should not be used if its expiry date has passed or if the required storage conditions cannot be confirmed.
Professional A1CNow+ Versus A1CNow Self Check
The professional A1CNow+ system should not be confused with the A1CNow Self Check home-testing product.
The A1CNow+ 10-test system is designed for use by trained healthcare professionals in an appropriate professional testing environment. The self-check version is a separate configuration intended for home use where permitted.
Healthcare organisations should make sure they purchase the correct version for their intended setting and follow the instructions supplied with that specific product.
Important Considerations Before Purchasing
Before purchasing an HbA1c point-of-care testing system, consider the expected testing volume and the clinical environment in which the analyser will be used.
Important questions include:
- How many HbA1c tests will be performed each month?
- Will the system be used in one room or across multiple locations?
- Which members of staff will perform the tests?
- What training and competency checks will be required?
- How will storage temperatures be monitored?
- What quality-control procedure will be followed?
- How will results be recorded in the patient’s clinical record?
- How will used testing materials be disposed of safely?
- Which local diabetes screening and diagnostic guidelines apply?
Answering these questions will help determine whether the A1CNow+ is appropriate for the service and how it should be integrated into the existing workflow.
Benefits of Rapid HbA1c Results for Patient Communication
One of the principal benefits of point-of-care HbA1c testing is the opportunity to discuss the result while the patient is still present.
Rather than arranging a separate conversation after a laboratory result becomes available, the healthcare professional may be able to explain what the result means and discuss the next appropriate step during the same appointment.
This can support:
- More immediate conversations about long-term glucose control
- Improved patient understanding of HbA1c
- Timely review of an existing diabetes management plan
- Reduced delays between testing and clinical discussion
- More efficient use of suitable face-to-face appointments
The test result should not be considered in isolation. Clinical interpretation should take account of the patient’s history, symptoms, medicines and any factors that could affect HbA1c measurement.
Who Should Use the A1CNow+?
The A1CNow+ 10-test system is intended for use by trained healthcare professionals.
Operators should understand:
- Appropriate patient identification
- Capillary blood collection
- Infection-prevention procedures
- Safe disposal of blood-contaminated materials
- Test preparation and timing
- Quality-control requirements
- Result recording and interpretation procedures
- Situations in which laboratory confirmation may be required
Users should complete any training and competency assessment required by their organisation before performing patient tests.
Buy the BHR A1CNow+ HbA1c Testing System
The BHR A1CNow+ HbA1c Blood Testing System with 10 Tests provides healthcare professionals with a compact point-of-care solution for obtaining HbA1c results in approximately five minutes.
With a small 5-microlitre fingerstick sample, portable analyser and ten-test professional configuration, it is suitable for appropriately governed testing services in clinics, GP practices, occupational health, community healthcare and outpatient environments.
Healthcare organisations and NHS customers with larger requirements can contact Vena Cava for product information, quotations and ordering support.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an A1CNow+ HbA1c test take?
The A1CNow+ produces an HbA1c result in approximately five minutes when operated correctly according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
How much blood is required?
The system requires approximately 5 microlitres of capillary whole blood, normally obtained using a fingerstick collection procedure.
How many tests are supplied?
This professional A1CNow+ configuration contains the components required to perform ten individual HbA1c tests.
Does the A1CNow+ require routine maintenance?
The compact analyser is designed to require no routine maintenance. Healthcare providers must still follow appropriate quality-control, storage and operator-competency procedures.
Can A1CNow+ be stored at room temperature?
Yes. The professional kit may be stored between 18°C and 28°C for up to four months. Refrigerated storage between 2°C and 8°C allows the kit to remain usable until its stated expiry date, subject to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Is the A1CNow+ intended for home use?
No. The A1CNow+ 10-test system is a professional-use product intended for trained healthcare professionals. A1CNow Self Check is a separate product configuration intended for home testing where permitted.
Can the system be used to diagnose diabetes?
HbA1c results may contribute to diabetes screening or diagnosis when used by healthcare professionals in accordance with applicable clinical guidance. The result must be considered alongside clinical assessment, local protocols and any necessary confirmatory testing.
Where can I buy the A1CNow+ system in the UK?
The professional A1CNow+ HbA1c Blood Testing System with 10 Tests is available from Vena Cava, a UK supplier of medical equipment and professional diagnostic products.
This article is intended for general product and educational information. Healthcare professionals must refer to the current manufacturer’s instructions for use and follow applicable clinical guidance, local policies and professional requirements.
