Point of care test
A point of care test (POCT), also called a bedside test, is a test which can analyse a sample for one or more biomarkers without the use of laboratory equipment. The name comes from how the test can be performed at the point of patient care, usually the bedside.
POC tests have many advantages and are widely used.
Commonly used POC tests
- Rapid tests
- Rapid strep test or rapid antigen detection test for streptococcal pharyngitis
- CRP
- Leukocyte with differential count
- Pregnancy (hCG in urine)
- Faecal occult blood test
- Procalcitonin
- SARS-CoV-2 (COVID)
- Drugs
- Manual POCT devices
- Blood glucose monitor
- INR
- Bench analyzers
- Arterial blood gas
- Automatic urine dipstick evaluation