Point-of-Care Blood Testing: The Technology Behind the Numbers

Minutes count in the operating room when it comes to treatment guidance and therapies. On a daily basis, anesthesiologists make hundreds of decisions, some based on laboratory results, when guiding patient therapies. When time is crucial, point-of-care testing is often utilized for expediency. However, point-of-care testing has its limitations. Providers should be aware of the limitations, including the potential for error in results-errors that could lead to improper treatment and possible patient harm. This article outlines the technical aspects and summarizes pitfalls in accuracy for 2 of the most commonly utilized point-of-care testing devices: glucose meters and hemoglobin meters.