What does point of care testing (POCT) refer to?

Point of care testing (POCT) refers specifically to patient-testing activities that take place outside of traditional clinical laboratory environments, allowing for immediate results and quicker decision-making for patient care. This type of testing is often performed in various settings, such as at the bedside, in clinics, or in emergency departments. The primary advantage of POCT is its ability to provide rapid results, which can lead to timely interventions and treatment.

In contrast, conducting tests only in specialized laboratories, performing all tests within hospital settings, or routine testing carried out in laboratories falls outside the definition of POCT. These options are typically associated with more traditional laboratory testing processes that may not provide the immediacy and convenience of point of care testing.