The role of POCT and rapid testing

Point-of-care testing (POCT) is defined as medical testing at or near the site of patient care. The first reported use of POCT is found in papyrus documents dating back to 1550 B.C., which depict Egyptian physicians using ants to determine glycosuria in patients suspected of having diabetes mellitus. Today, as it was then, the goal of POCT is to provide immediate, convenient, and easy-to-use diagnostic testing that shortens the therapeutic turnaround time when providing care for a patient.
During the past 10 years there has been an increasing concern about the use of OTC devices in the hospital. This is particularly true when devices are used in settings where they have not necessarily been properly validated. An example of this is the use of handheld glucose meters in high acuity settings such as the intensive care unit, where they are frequently utilized in the management of patients on tight glycemic control using intensive insulin therapy.

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The role of POCT and rapid testing

Source: MLO
Image credits: HSC

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