Point-of-care testing

Abstract

Point-of-care testing (POCT) is laboratory testing conducted close to the site of patient care. Point-of-care testing is also commonly described as ancillary, bedside, near-patient, satellite, remote, and decentralized testing, among other terms. Laboratorians and clinical staff often use these terms synonymously, but POCT can be delivered in many different ways. It is thus important to distinguish the particular scenario, or the manner in which the test is being conducted, when discussing POCT or reading the scientific literature, since each scenario may present unique operational aspects that could tum a beneficial test into a disadvantage to the patient. Understanding the complexity of the testing process is fundamental to determining the utility of a test in practice. This chapter explores the features of POCT delivery and the essentials of critically reviewing the scientific literature that serve as the basis of determining whether a specific test will improve patient outcomes.