ADLM (formerly AACC)

Point-of-Care Testing

A How-To Guide for the Non-Laboratorian

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Point-of-care testing (POCT), or near-patient testing, is diagnostic testing conducted close to the patient, often by clinical personnel outside of the laboratory. POCT can enhance patient care by expanding the opportunities for healthcare services at different patient and population levels.

This “how-to” guide is intended for non-laboratorians who are engaged in setting up a process or physical space designed to provide testing at or near where patient care is provided. This guide provides an overview of POCT, including a discussion of the cost-benefit analysis of implementing POCT and the use of POCT in various healthcare settings. It presents the challenges to consider when selecting and implementing POCT. It also offers tools to address and manage those challenges and offers solutions to overcome barriers faced in various settings to ensure quality test results that are reliable for patient care.

ADDENDA

This guide includes addenda, including glossaries, templates, and forms, to serve as tools in the implementation of POCT. These are for reference use only; individual POCT laboratories may have unique needs.

All the addenda are included in the full guide. You can also download individual addenda here:

  1. POCT Organizational Charts
  2. Generic Needs Assessment
  3. Request for New Testing Form
  4. New POCT Implementation Form
  5. Project Plan (PDF) (Excel spreadsheet)
  6. Technical Consultant Documentation
  7. Laboratory Director Site Visit Form
  8. Quality Management Template (PDF) (Excel spreadsheet)
  9. Waived Testing Initial Training: Urine Pregnancy Example
  10. Waived Testing Annual Performance Evaluation: Urine Pregnancy Test Example
  11. Moderate Testing Initial Training
  12. Moderate Complex Annual Performance Evaluation
  13. POCT Connectivity Glossary
  14. POCT General Terms Glossary

QUESTIONS?

Please contact Caitlin Ondracek at [email protected], if you have comments and for copyright and translation information.

This document was sponsored by Sight Diagnostics. The content was written by AACC member subject matter experts and reviewed by the AACC Board of Directors, AACC Academy Council, AACC Science & Practice Core Committee, and Sight Diagnostics.