Point-of-care testing (POCT) is broadly defined as diagnostic testing performed at the time and place of patient care, whether inside or outside a healthcare institution. Examples of POC tests include at-home pregnancy tests, HIV testing kits, and blood glucose monitors.
POCT devices are typically small, portable, handheld devices or manual kits. This makes them suitable to be performed outside of the clinical laboratory and when there isn't a dedicated space for testing equipment. POCT can be performed in many locations, from hospital settings, like the emergency department and operating room, to a patient's home.
POCT also provides rapid turnaround of test results. In some instances, POCT can be performed by non-laboratory staff, depending upon the complexity of the test.
