Point of Care Testing: Convenient and Timely Healthcare Solutions

At Royal Oaks Pharmacy, we offer a range of Point of Care Testing (POCT) services right here in Grande Prairie — no lab wait, no separate appointment. Currently, we test for strep throat, COVID-19, urinary tract infections (UTI), and Influenza A & B.

What is point-of-care testing?

Point of Care Testing is medical diagnostic testing performed on-site, at the pharmacy, rather than sending a sample to an off-site lab. That means results in minutes, not days — so you and your pharmacist can decide on next steps right away.

Our Testing Services

1. Strep Throat Testing

• Purpose: Detects Group A Streptococcus bacteria, the most common cause of strep throat.
• Symptoms to watch for: Sore throat, difficulty swallowing, fever, swollen lymph nodes.
• How it works: A quick throat swab, results within minutes.

2. UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) Testing

• Purpose: Identifies bacterial infection in the urinary tract.
• Symptoms to watch for: Burning sensation while urinating, frequent urge to urinate, cloudy or strong-smelling urine.
• How it works: A simple urine sample, analyzed on-site.

3. COVID-19 Testing

• Purpose: Diagnoses active COVID-19 infection.
• Symptoms to watch for: Fever, cough, loss of taste or smell, fatigue.
• How it works: Rapid antigen test, results within minutes.

4. Influenza A & B Testing

• Purpose: Detects influenza virus types A and B.
• Symptoms to watch for: Sudden fever, chills, body aches, fatigue, congestion.
• How it works: A nasal swab, quick and accurate results.

Convenience and Accessibility

No need for multiple appointments or lab wait times — get answers quickly enough to act on them the same day.

Personalized Consultations

After testing, our pharmacists walk you through what the results mean and what to do next — so you leave with a clear plan, not just a number.

How to Access Point of Care Testing

Just visit the pharmacy. No appointment needed — our trained staff will guide you through the process.

Questions about our testing services? Contact us or drop by Royal Oaks Pharmacy.