Rosthern emergency department equipped with point-of-care testing

To support seamless access to local emergency health services, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has implemented point-of-care testing in the emergency department at Rosthern Hospital.

Point-of-care testing is a supplementary initiative that enables trained local health-care team members to rapidly conduct essential diagnostics on-site at facilities when laboratory professionals are temporarily unavailable. Several tests can be performed using point-of-care testing technology, including:

• hemoglobin to evaluate anemia and blood loss;

• white blood cell counts to determine the presence of infection;

• urinalysis for assessing kidney function and detecting urinary tract infections; and,

• cardiac markers to evaluate heart health.

When needed, point-of-care testing tools support timely clinical decision-making. This care delivery initiative is already supporting residents in 10 other rural communities across the province to access emergency department services where and when they need it. As of January 21, 2026, point-of-care testing has prevented 328 potential service disruptions since implementation in 2023. 

Laboratory services are one of several components required to keep emergency departments operational. The point-of-care testing program is part of an overall strategy to enhance access to rural and remote emergency departments. The SHA and Government of Saskatchewan are committed to recruiting staff to rural laboratories.

The SHA appreciates our health-care teams in rural and remote communities who work to minimize service disruptions and ensure emergency department services remain available to residents in the communities they serve.