point-of-care testing


point-of-care testing

Lab medicine The analysis of clinical specimens as close as possible to the Pt, including bedside, ward–unit, or 'stat' regional response labs that service specified areas–eg, the ER or ICU

point-of-care testing

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POCT

A clinical laboratory measurement made at the bedside, in the clinic, or in a satellite lab, rather than at a centralized laboratory. POCT is designed to improve the turnaround time and usefulness of lab testing. Examples of POCT are nitrazine strips for measuring vaginal pH, refractometers for measuring urine specific gravity, glucometers for measuring blood sugar, and immunoassays for measuring the creatine phosphokinase isoenzymes, myoglobin, and troponin I.