Point-of-Care Testing (POCT): The Applications, Advantages, and Challenges

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Sheryl A. Whitlock, MA.Ed, MT(ASCP)BB
Reviewer: Cynthia Clawson, BSMT (ASCP), MBA, HCA

Point of care testing (POCT) has been integrated into the healthcare system, creating a paradigm shift and offering faster results using portable, easy-to-use devices that can lead to improved patient outcomes. This course is intended to review the fundamentals of POCT, the advantages and disadvantages, and the applicable testing methodologies. In addition, the laboratory's role in POCT will be outlined to include the personnel, quality, and competency requirements for performing POCT.

Continuing Education Credits

Objectives

  • Define point-of-care (POC) as it relates to test methods in the laboratory.
  • Outline personnel and competency requirements for performing POCT.
  • Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of POCT.
  • Differentiate and explain test methods applicable to POCT.
  • Explain the laboratory's role in POCT.

Course Outline

  • Definition of Point of Care Testing
      • Defining Point-of-Care Testing (POCT)
      • There are multiple contexts used to define POCT. Match each statement to the context/aspect of POCT it describes.
      • Crossing Boundaries in POCT
      • The small, portable testing methods used in POCT CANNOT be used to perform testing in the central laboratory.
  • Advantages and Disadvantages of Point of Care Testing
      • Advantages of POCT
      • Hospital ABC has multiple locations for laboratory testing of a basic metabolic panel (BMP). The intensive care unit (ICU) has a portable measuring de...
      • Disadvantages of POCT -- Administrative
      • Disadvantages of Point of Care Testing (POCT) -- Testing Process
      • POCT is being considered at XYZ hospital. Clinical and laboratory administrations have met and discussed the advantages and disadvantages to POCT. Whi...
  • Testing Methodologies for Point of Care Testing
      • Summary of Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) Methods
      • Complexity of POCT
      • All POCT methods are classified as waived by CLIA.
      • POCT Methods
      • The point-of-care coordinator (POCC) is organizing a procedure manual for a satellite location. She must rewrite the package insert into a PDF format ...
  • The Laboratory's Role in Point of Care Testing (POCT)
      • Laboratory Staff Involvement with Point-of-Care Testing (POCT)
      • Testing staff working in point-of-care testing (POCT) locations in satellite clinics should have no direct communication with the staff in the main/ce...
      • Quality Assessment (QA) in Point-of-Care Testing (POCT)
      • Quality assessment (QA) and quality control (QC) testing are equivalent.
      • Competency Assessment in POCT
      • Mandatory Reporting of Test Results
      • When assessing the competency of POCT personnel that perform activated clotting time (ACT) testing, which assessment tool is appropriate to use when d...
      • The laboratory supervisor is assisting with competency assessment of the ICU staff who perform testing on the point-of-care instrumentation. Before be...
      • An employee completed initial training and competency assessment for moderately complex point-of-care testing (POCT) in the emergency department on Ma...
      • A physician's office has recently added a benchtop analyzer utilizing test cartridges for molecular testing of both Covid-19 and influenza. The office...
  • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of instruction: Basic

Intended Audience: Medical laboratory scientists, medical technologists, and technicians. This course is also appropriate for medical laboratory science students and pathology residents.

Author information: Sheryl A. Whitlock, MA. Ed, MT(ASCP)BB is the owner of ARK Laboratory Consulting, LLC, and works as a technical consultant for various laboratories. Sheryl served as the laboratory coordinator for the Student Health Services Laboratory at the University of Delaware for 15 years. Sheryl received her Master’s degree in Education from Arcadia University in Glenside, Pennsylvania. She has more than 35 years of experience in laboratory science, including management, education, and hands-on bench experience. She has written and published textbooks and laboratory manuals, as well as having contributed to numerous online and print articles in the field of laboratory medicine.

Reviewer information: Cynthia Clawson, BSMT(ASCP), MBA, HCA received her Masters degree from Wilmington College, in Wilmington Delaware and a Bachelor of Science degree in medical technology from Salisbury State University in Salisbury, Maryland. She began her career as a bench technologist at then Kent and Queen Anne’s Hospital in Chestertown, Maryland. Currently, she is a Clinical Specialist for Point of Care testing, Quality Assurance, and Regulatory Compliance at the same facility, now called University of Maryland Shore Regional Health at Chestertown.

Course description: Point-of-care testing (POCT) has been integrated into the healthcare system, creating a paradigm shift and offering faster results using portable, easy-to-use devices that can lead to improved patient outcomes. This course is intended to review the fundamentals of POCT, the advantages and disadvantages, and the applicable testing methodologies. In addition, the laboratory's role in POCT will be outlined to include the personnel, quality, and competency requirements for performing POCT.

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