Original scientific paper
Point-of-care testing management – benefits and pitfalls
DUNJA ROGIĆ
; Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Point-of-care testing (POCT) or near-patient testing conducted outside of the laboratory by clinical staff is the fastest growing
segment of laboratory diagnostics worldwide. This fact is both a consequence of clinical and/or procedural need, but also
because of very fast technological developments and aggressive marketing strategies. POCT is used and requested wherever
short turnaround times might be of benefit for the patient or clinical pathways. However, mindless implementation of
POCT within clinical institutions can bring more harm than benefit, and must therefore be kept under control. This is best
achieved through the hospital POCT committee which consists of clinical and laboratory staff and fulfils many functions.
Primarily, it should provide professional advice on the quality and implementation of POCT devices. Pre-analytical and
analytical issues regarding test results and their interpretation should be thoroughly explained in advance. Also, the POCT
committee serves as a gatekeeper against unnecessary POCT device acquisition, since any test done on the POCT device
is much more expensive than the same test done within the laboratory. Educating the clinical staff and maintaining their level
of competence required for reliable test results, as well as external and internal quality control, remain the cornerstones of
a safe and efficient POCT network coordinated by a POCT committee within healthcare institutions.
Keywords
point-of-care testing; laboratory management
Hrčak ID:
134166
URI
Publication date:
1.6.2014.
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