bedside test

bedside test

Any evaluation of analytes close to a patient who may be in a relatively critical state.

bedside test

Lab medicine Any evaluation of analytes close to a Pt who may be a relatively critical state; devices used for BTs may be less accurate than those used in a hospital's laboratory, but have the advantage of short 'turn-around' time–eg, 2 minutes, facilitating therapy using minimal volumes–eg, 0.25–0.5 mL, of specimens; BT may be used for pH, PO2, PCO2, Na+, K+, Hct, glucose, Ca2+, and chloride. Cf Stat testing.