What Are Point of Care Tests?
Point of care tests are used to provide a quick and accurate diagnosis at the patient’s bedside. They can help minimize emergency room overcrowding, decrease diagnostic and prescription times, streamline major accident response, and improve health care accessibility for patients in remote areas. The growth of this type of testing has also led to a reduction in the need for follow-up appointments and improved patient satisfaction.
But while point of care tests are becoming more common, not everyone knows exactly what they are. Point of care testing can take many forms and can be performed by both lab-trained and nonlab personnel, at multiple locations (such as the bedside, clinic, ambulance or home) and by different devices. It can range from simple dipsticks as used in urinalysis, to handheld devices such as glucose meters or sophisticated molecular analyzers. It can be performed by medical laboratory professionals, by other healthcare practitioners or even by the patient/person himself/herself (self-test).
Because they provide results much faster than tests conducted in a classic lab setting, point of care tests are more convenient for both doctors and patients alike. This allows doctors to respond quickly to any changes in body chemistry and may even save lives. For example, if a patient has a COVID-19 infection, a traditional lab test will take too long to return results and the virus could spread before appropriate treatment can be provided. A POC test, however, can identify the virus within a few hours and allow medical staff to quarantine infected patients accordingly.
Unlike most traditional laboratory tests, point of care tests are typically more user-friendly and require less training to perform. While this helps to reduce costs, it is important to be aware of the potential for errors. Individuals using point of care testing devices must thoroughly read and understand device instructions, be familiar with the test system and be able to interpret the results accurately. The results of certain point of care tests, especially those that influence medication dosages, can be very dangerous if incorrectly performed.
While point of care tests have helped to improve healthcare for all, it’s important to remember that they should only be one part of a larger strategy. They should never be seen as a replacement for comprehensive laboratory testing, and any tests performed must be under strict quality control, regardless of the location.
For this reason, any laboratory that intends to offer POCT should seek out a CLIA waiver. This will ensure that the laboratory has proper training, quality controls and procedures in place to ensure accurate and reliable results. It’s also crucial to make sure that any device used for this purpose is fully inspected and maintained regularly. In addition, any reagents or test devices that are opened should be stored in accordance with manufacturer instructions to prevent contaminating subsequent specimens. Finally, it’s important to have a clear understanding of how the data from a POCT device will be reported so that it can be integrated into a patient management plan.