Point of Care Testing (POCT) is laboratory testing or analyses being performed in the clinical setting by non-laboratory healthcare professionals.
As POCT is performed close to the patient the results are available
more quickly than if the sample had been sent to the
laboratory. This has benefits in the delivery of care to critically
ill patients. POCT can also be used in less acute settings, such as
Out-Patient Clinics to reduce patient waiting times.
There are also disadvantages with POCT compared with laboratory
testing. For many POCT tests the equipment used to perform the
analysis is not as sophisticated as in the laboratory so the
results may not be as accurate, also the cost of each test
performed at the POCT is greater than conventional laboratory
testing.
CMFT has a well established POCT infrastructure to ensure
that the benefits of this exciting technology can be realised while
managing the inherent risks and costs associated with it. The
CMFT POCT
Policy and POCT Committee are central to the
governance structure. The POCT Team Leaders, (Contact Us) manage
operational matters such as evaluating equipment, provision of
training programs, Standard Operating Procedures, operator
proficiency testing, auditing and recording of POCT test results
(paper and electronic).
