Point of care testing (POC) is when clinical test samples are collected and examined where the patient currently receives treatment. That could be in a hospital, a remote clinic, or even the person’s home.
In some cases, moving a patient or transporting samples long distances is neither practical nor safe- which is when POC testing comes into play.
What Are the Benefits of POC Testing?
The advantages of testing patients at their point of care depend on the circumstances and perspective. Of course, it is better for the patient to stay put- rather than move to a new location.
Having the ability to test for certain diseases at the point of care also leads to faster identification and treatment of ailments. POC services provide fast and reliable test results that let medical professionals make potentially life-saving decisions sooner.
In cases where an infectious disease is suspected, keeping the patient where they are is preferable. If it is possible to avoid moving potentially infectious people and samples- exposing others in the process- then medical services will choose to do so.
What Tests Can Be Performed at the Point of Care?
What can and cannot be tested on the spot depends on the patient location, and specifics may vary between countries.
Some possible POC tests include:
- HIV
- Drug abuse
- Fertility and pregnancy
- Various infectious diseases
- Some cancer screening for patients mid-treatment
- Fast urinalysis
Trinity Biotech: A Worldwide Point of Care Partner
Trinity Biotech has more than two decades of experience providing POC testing for partners in the diagnostics and medical care world around the globe. Our reliable kits provide accurate results on the spot that can speed up diagnosis and treatment.
The POC services we offer make a difference to our healthcare partners and their patients.
