Health and Fitness

Point Of Care Testing (POCT) Definition, Pros & Cons

Point Of Care Testing (POCT):

Providers of healthcare seek to treat patients as quickly as possible while attaining the best possible outcome. Quick and accurate test results can help a health care to their patients by allowing them to informed decisions.

Rather than transferring a sample to a laboratories, point-of-care  testing, also known as near-patient testing, involves performing. A test with a gadget or test kit in the presence of the researcher. Many cutting-edge point-of-care devices make advantage of technological improvements to maintain care quality high.

What is point-of-care testing, and how does it work?

Point-of-care testing, or POC testing, is medical testing done at or at the point of care. In this programme, the sufferer’s location is referred to as point click care login.

The results will take a long time to arrive if all samples and specimens should be sent to clinical laboratory for processing. As a result, time may be wasted in critical situations, or patients may be treated without having all of the information needed by their care team.

Advantages and disadvantages of point-of-care testing vs. laboratory testing:

  • The rapidity with which a result may be achieved is the primary benefit of point-of-care testing.
  • People who have not received professional laboratory training can also do POC testing.
  • Results are normally supplied in an easy-to-understand manner, although that isn’t always the case, and results may still need to be safely evaluated by a healthcare expert. Nurses, psychologists, and paramedics are employed, as well as patient testing. Only a few instances of near-patient testing include malaria antigen screening, pregnancy tests, glycaemic management, urinalysis, and other sorts of testing.
  • POC testing, on the other hand, makes it considerably easier to obtain reliable and rapid results. Now that these data are available, medical providers may be able to make more informed decisions about a patient’s treatment and care.
  • Simple samples such as body fluids or blood through a finger prick are typically required for these tests. They can be used with other portable medical equipment, including as thermometers and blood pressure monitors, to give medical assessment.
  • Point of care testing, on the other hand, has a number of disadvantages. Based on the existing technology in the device, studies have demonstrated that errors are more frequent with POC testing than with laboratory analysis.
  • Because the POC testing environment is less controlled than laboratory conditions, and the results are more sensitive to external interference than laboratory procedures, inaccuracies might arise.

Point-of-care testing More Details:

  • POC testing has the potential to be more costly than lab-based testing. The cost of POC glucose testing was 1.1 to 4.6 times more than the cost of the same test in the lab, according to a 1995 study.
  • Laboratory testing may also be subject to other sorts of hidden costs, such as infrastructure, employees, and overheads. Nonetheless, the ease and speed of POC testing can compensate for the greater costs.
  • Rapid discoveries enable for the implementation of a treatment plan make a big difference when time is of the importance for better care.
  • Simple samples such as body fluids (such as saliva or urine) or blood through a finger prick are typically required for these tests.
  • They can be used with other portable medical equipment, including as thermometers and blood pressure monitors, to give a rapid and painless medical assessment.
  • Point of care testing, on the other hand, has a number of disadvantages. Based on the existing technologies in the equipment, studies have demonstrated that mistakes are more frequent with POC testing than with laboratory analysis.
  • Because the POC clinical laboratory and att net email login are less controlled than laboratory conditions. The findings are more sensitive to external interference than laboratory operations, inaccuracies might arise.
  • POC testing has the potential to be more costly than lab-based testing. The cost of POC glucose testing was 1.1 to 4.6 times more than the cost according to a 1995 study.
  • Laboratory testing may also be subject to other sorts of hidden costs, such as infrastructure, employees, and overheads. Nonetheless, the ease and speed of POC testing can compensate for the greater costs. Rapid discoveries enable for the implementation of a treatment plan quickly.
  • which may make a big difference when time is of the importance for better care.

Also Read: https://dewarticles.com/all-things-you-need-to-know-about-oral-surgical-instruments/

Pointofcare haematology devices:

These devices can conduct a wide range of tests, including full blood counts:

  1. The aPTT testing is utilising haemostatic assessment.
  2. D-dimer testing is done to rule out a blood clot or DVT.
  3. For trauma and obstetrics, a viscoelastic test was done.
  4. Activated clotting time testing is used to assess heparin levels.
  5. Malaria antigen testing is performed to determine whether or not a person has the disease.

Extensively used and current point-of-care testing tools have shown to provide accurate. And  reliable haematological results, leading in improved medical care for a range of disorders.

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