POINT OF CARE TESTING

Point-of-care testing (POCT) is medical diagnostic testing performed outside the clinical laboratory, at or near, where a patient is receiving care. POCT may or may not be performed by laboratory personnel and the results of the testing are used to help aid in clinical decision making. POCT is high quality and cost effective ensuring a continuum of care for clients when there is no diagnostic staff available to perform testing required for immediate care or when routine diagnostic testing turnaround times does not allow for optimal client care.