POCT Testing
Point of care (POC) diagnostic devices are used to obtain diagnostic results while with the patient or close to the patient. Used in doctors’ offices, hospitals, and in patients’ homes, POC diagnostic devices give quick feedback on many sorts of medical tests.
POC diagnostic devices are used to test glucose and cholesterol levels, do electrolyte and enzyme analysis, test for drugs of abuse and for infectious diseases, and for pregnancy testing. Blood gases, cardiac markers, and fecal occult blood tests can also be done with POC diagnostic devices. There are several advantages to doing the tests at the point of care, including quick results and faster implementation of therapy, if needed.