The underlying technology and the range of test parameters available are evolving rapidly. The primary advantage of POCT is the convenience of performing the test close to the patient and the speed at which test results can be obtained, compared to sending a sample to a laboratory and waiting for results to be returned. Thus, a series of clinical applications are possible that can shorten the time for clinical decision-making about additional testing or therapy, as delays are no longer caused by the preparation of clinical samples, transport, and central laboratory analysis. Tests in a POC format can now be found for many medical disciplines, including endocrinology/diabetes, cardiology, nephrology, critical care, fertility, hematology/coagulation, infectious disease and microbiology, and general health screening.
Point-of-care testing (POCT) enables healthcare personnel to perform clinical laboratory testing near the patient.
The idea of conventional and POCT laboratory services within a hospital seems contradictory. Yet, they are, in fact, complementary: Together, POCT and the central laboratory are essential for the optimal functioning of diagnostic processes. They complement each other, provided that a dedicated POCT coordination integrates the quality assurance of POCT into the overall quality management system of the central laboratory.
The third edition of Luppa/Junker’s POCT book, now also available in English, aims to explore and describe clinically relevant analytical techniques, organizational concepts for application, and future perspectives of POCT.
From descriptions of the opportunities that POCT can provide to the limitations that clinicians must be cautioned about, this book provides an overview of the many aspects that challenge those who choose to implement POCT. Technologies, clinical applications, networking issues, and quality regulations are
described, as well as a survey of future technologies that are on the horizon.
The editors have spent considerable efforts to update the book in general and to highlight the latest developments, e.g., novel POCT applications of nucleic acid testing for the rapid identification of infectious agents.
Of particular note is that a team of international experts in this field also describes a cross-country comparison of POCT quality rules.
