Emerging challenges in point-of-care testing

Point-of-care testing (POCT), also referred to as bedside or near-patient testing, represents the future of diagnostics and is currently dominating innovations in the medical field. This technology has brought diagnostics out of the central laboratory to the patient bedside. POCT offers several advantages over the traditional testing carried out in the central laboratories. Small compact devices and faster reports leading to rapid diagnosis and consequent appropriate treatment/interventions form a major benefit of POCT. In addition, it has reduced the sample requirements in comparison with the volumes required by the main laboratories and has played an important role in testing of labile analytes. However, numerous challenges remain in the use of POCT. POCT reagents are costly and are performed by non–laboratory-trained operators who are focused neither on the internal quality control protocols nor on the guidelines of the regulatory and accreditation bodies. Thus, training and experience of the staff remains a major issue. Because POCT contributes to better patient management by facilitating early diagnosis, internal quality protocols must be defined and incorporated in the daily routine of testing. ISO 22870:2016 “Point-of-care testing – Requirements for Quality and Competence” was introduced by the ISO and is intended for use in conjunction with ISO 15189:2012 (Medical Laboratory Testing). Newer point-of-care (POC) trends are emerging which will further strengthen the impact of POCTs in medical testing. Hence, it is essential that quality is of the optimum consideration to ensure consistency in the POC test results.