Question

11. Opinion and rationale.

Would you recommend using this POC instrument versus the larger instrument?  

Why or why not? Defend your position. Give your opinion as to best use of the POC device and provide reasons why. Please list any additional thoughts/ideas this project brought to your attention.

Answer 1

Point of care (POC) testing is medical testing that is performed outside of a laboratory setting. POC testing is also known as bedside testing, near-patient testing, remote testing, mobile testing and rapid diagnostics. Point of care (POC) diagnostic devices are used to obtain diagnostic results while with the patient or close to the patient. There are several advantages to doing the tests at the point of care, including quick results and faster implementation of therapy.

The main benefits of POCT testing are :

• Portability
• Convenience
• Speed
• Connectivity
• Sample Quality
• Quality Assurance

The larger instruments are usually difficult to carry closer to the patients and it is inconvenient when compared with POC instruments.

POC diagnostic devices are used to test glucose and cholesterol levels, do electrolyte and enzyme analysis, test for drugs of abuse and for infectious diseases, and for pregnancy testing. Blood gases, cardiac markers, and faecal occult blood tests can also be done with POC diagnostic devices. It is intended to minimize the time to obtain a test result, thereby allowing clinicians and patients to make an expeditious clinical decision.

The emergence of POC tests has the potential to improve health care services and patient-centred outcomes in diverse settings, particularly those with limited health service or laboratory infrastructure.