WHAT IS POINT-OF-CARE TESTING?

Point-of-care testing, according to author Christopher Price, is "the provision of a test when the result will be used to make a decision and to take appropriate action, which will lead to an improved health outcome." The key objective of point-of-care testing (POCT) is to produce a result more quickly, so the utility of POCT is in the immediacy of response. The two most common sites for POCT are the patient's routine living environment and the intensive care unit, although changing healthcare delivery is taking POCT into many other arenas. The reliability of POCT depends greatly on the technical performance of POCT devices as well as compliance with treatment protocols. Today, demands for improved clinical, operational, and economic outcomes have contributed to expanded use of point-of-care tests.

POCT LISTSERV

Have a question about point-of-care testing?  Ask it on AACC’s point-of-care testing listserv.  To subscribe, go to AACC's point-of-care testing listserv.

JOIN AACC'S CRITICAL AND POINT-OF-CARE TESTING DIVISION

One of AACC's largest divisions, CPOCT provides education and networking opportunities for sharing ideas, experiences, and strategies in critical and point-of-care testing. Visit  the CPOCT webpage to learn more about division activities.