Infektološki glasnik, Vol. 32 No. 1, 2012.
Pregledni rad
Point-of-care (POC) testing in diagnostics of infectious diseases
Oktavija Đaković-Rode
orcid.org/0000-0001-8023-4314
; Klinika za infektivne bolesti "Dr. Fran Mihaljević", Zagreb, Hrvatska
Sažetak
Technological development of laboratory tests in recent years significantly increased the number of tests available for the diagnosis of infectious diseases that can be conducted outside the laboratory: near the bedside, in the clinics, counseling centers and other non-laboratory conditions. Such a form of testing is called point-of-care (POC), testing where the patient care is provided. POC testing is a laboratory testing carried out using a simple measuring principle outside the laboratory in medical institutions for hospital and ambulatory patients. POC testing is performed by personnel with no primary laboratory qualifications and no experience in laboratory medicine (nurses, technicians, doctors). Before the introduction of POC testing it is necessary to evaluate the need for and purpose of the introduction of these tests as a substitute for routine laboratory work. It is necessary to define the number of testing, method and cost as well as who and for what purpose to use POC test, and when and how it will be run. Introducing POC testing should not be haphazard. POC testing should be planned in agreement with a relevant laboratory that will conduct a quality control. Personnel who will do the testing should be thoroughly trained. Although these are simple tests, all testing must comply with the rules of good laboratory practice because these are not "home tests" but the tests the results of which should be communicated to the patient and adequately saved. POC tests are worth doing only if the result will directly affect the decision on how to proceed with the patient. Incorrect use of POC tests presents a risk to patient and an additional increased cost of health care. Only the use of clinically evaluated test approved for use can significantly improve the quality workup of the patient obtaining the rapid and accurate findings which will direct further treatment, and also reduce the additional costs of diagnostic examination.
Ključne riječi
Rapid diagnostics; infectious diseases; Point-of-care testing/test
Hrčak ID:
92449
URI
Datum izdavanja:
26.3.2012.
Posjeta: 6.956 *