Point Of Care Testing

Question 1

What is point of care testing?

Answer 1

• Point of Care Testing is the testing of patient samples outside the confines of the clinical laboratory.
• Point-of-care testing refers to testing that can be performed using a device located at or near the location of the patient (eg, patient’s home, operating room) rather than in a central laboratory.
• Can also be referred to as near patient testing, peripheral testing, decentralized testing, Satellite testing, ancillary testing or bedside testing.

Question 2

Why does one use point of care testing?

Answer 2

The rationale for testing at the point of care is that the more rapid generation of results will improve patient care.
- This testing is subject to the same strict quality control procedures that exist in central laboratories.

Question 3

What are the challenges and limitations of point of care testing device?

Answer 3

1. cost
2. the need for specialized training
3. strict adherence to quality standards outside of the clinical laboratory setting

Question 4

Give examples of POC tests?

Answer 4

• Blood gases: pCO2, pO2
• Glucose
• HbA1c
• Urinalysis
• hCG, ketones, glucose,
• Oxygene Saturations
• Coagulation
• Hemoglobin/ hematocrit
• HIV
• Malaria Rapid Test
• Covid 19
• Cutaneous Bilirubin

Question 5

Who uses point of care tests?

Answer 5

In a hospital environment healthcare workers that will use point-of-care tests include:
• Physicians
• Surgeons
• Anesthetists
• Registered Nurses
• Medical Students
• Nurse technicians
• Paramedics