What if healthcare testing could be done instantly, right at a patient’s side? Actually, it already can. Point-of-care testing, aka PoCT or POCT, refers to a specific kind of patient testing performed at, around, or near a patient’s location. Compared to traditional lab testing, which can take weeks for analysis, POCT can be done rapidly—and without the need of a person specifically trained in laboratory sciences. This quick access to results can provide nimble action for treatment and care effective on-site.
Modern medical testing has surely grown and evolved since the early days of medicine, improving even more with the aid of technology. While today accurate results from clinical lab services continue to be an essential component of modern healthcare, the use of POCT outside the laboratory is a remarkable complement to traditional testing services. In various realms of medicine, the speed and efficiency of POCT can provide physicians with answers in real-time, even in mere minutes.
POCT is useful for focusing on prevention, early detection, infectious diseases, burden reduction, and chronic condition management. Hence, as healthcare worldwide is driven on a consumer basis, it’s vital to be aware of how diagnostics and screening are continually evolving—and especially to have knowledge on the basics of what point of care testing is. Here’s what you need to know.
Let’s Define Point-of-Care
As mentioned above, point-of-care is diagnostic testing performed directly at or near the site of patient care. A point-of-care test is a form of medical screening that’ll result in a firsthand action, leading to a better health outcome for a patient. This four-step process typically begins with a patient question, a POCT test done in the presence of such a patient, a decision made by a physician, and an initiation of an action result. Basically, point-of-care is a more appropriate treatment process for certain modern-day health concerns, which removes previous barriers to quality care and leads to higher patient satisfaction.
Where POCT Is Performed
As point-of-care testing is performed on-site, such testing is generally done in a primary care facility, a community pharmacy, paramedical vehicles, rural and remote locals, any natural disaster or wide-scale pandemic scenarios, in various areas in hospitals, or even in a home or community setting. The testing site is dependent on the type of medical condition or situation at hand, but POCT generally provides better access to testing for patients around the world, right where they are.
Reasons For Using POCT
The preeminent goal of healthcare is to steadily improve patient care—to save and better lives through action, access, and diligence. POCT highly contributes towards this outcome while enhancing the workflow and efficacy of healthcare staff. To understand the basics of what point of care testing is, know it’s a smaller part of a comprehensive healthcare strategy. Point-of-care testing is a convenient first step approach to a patient’s diagnosis or treatment plan.
The reasons for ordering a test include diagnosis, a treatment guide, a means to monitor health or compliance, as well as numerous patient, physician, or facility-related factors. POCT can rule in or out diseases or diagnosis of medical conditions, as well as to guide or to reassure patient care. Since settings vary from emergency rooms to primary care to homes, appropriate POCT can be considerably advantageous—or adverse, depending on the situation.
The Disadvantages of POCT
While the benefits of point-of-care testing tend to outweigh its unfortunate factors, it’s still important to recognize how this type of testing could be unfavorable. Despite their convenience, POCT isn’t error-proof and comes with a list of cautions. The settings in which POCT is done is uncontrolled in expertise and quality. Insufficient training can cause inaccuracy. Any individual, practitioner, or healthcare staff administering the test must ensure directions are carefully and correctly followed. Like any testing procedure, attention to detail and standard practice must be adhered to.
The lack of cost-effectiveness is another considerable factor of POCT. Since an increased number of tests can be performed and workload is generally higher to administer, the costs are greater for healthcare facilities. Compared to laboratory tests, the variation in personnel, settings, and the methods of testing conditions can all contribute to the possibility of unreliable results. Nevertheless, the value of POCT shouldn’t be overlooked.
The Advantages of POCT
Proper use of point-of-care testing leads to a better quality of care and more effective medical treatment options. For those who use specific tests at home to monitor their treatment or condition, the awareness of their complete control can result in higher quality care over time. For example, individuals who need to monitor their insulin levels or blood thinners can take advantage of frequent and continual testing, which results in fewer health complications.
Conversely, in emergency situations in a hospital, rapid tests can be given to measure blood or POCT products can alleviate overcrowded ERs by reducing treatment time. In a physician’s office, POCT such as hemoglobin or blood lipid tests can reduce the need for successive or follow-up visits or calls. Prior pregnancy or ovulation POCT can also provide fast results without the need for an initial office visit.
The Evolving Healthcare Environment
For a variety of specific medical conditions, such as diabetes, POCT has already been able to change exactly how care is given and managed. Since the healthcare market has increased demand for quality improvement, efficiency, and greater care accountability, there’s no telling how much point-of-care testing will evolve in the future. Clearly, there’s a need to embrace fresh ways of delivering patient care—and point-of-care testing is a strong potential force for consumer-based treatment advancement in healthcare.
For non-emergency situations, a variety of POCT supplies can be purchased in stores or online for personal use. Here at American Screening Corp, we’re your number one supplier of personal point of care testing products. From glucose to DNA to hormone testing, from flu tests to pregnancy tests, or even pain relievers and healing supplies, we provide quick solutions to your healthcare needs. Our products are easy to use, highly effective, and come with our top-quality customer service. Whatever your point-of-care needs are, we can help supply them directly. For more information on our POCT products, contact us today.
