5. Bedside/point of care tests (POCT) and their informational value

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. They are resource-sparing, cheap, and quick.

Commonly used POC tests

• Rapid tests
  • Rapid strep test or rapid antigen detection test for streptococcal pharyngitis
  • CRP
  • Leukocyte with differential count
  • Urine dipstick test
  • 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

Requirements

A POCT must:

• Give results rapidly
• Have quality comparable to laboratory tests
• Be easy to use
• Be safe to use
• Be affordable
• Undergo regular maintenance and quality control

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages

• Fast results
• Small amounts of sample required
• No sample storing
• No sample packing
• No sample transport

Disadvantages

• Easy to fail to:
  • Perform the test properly
  • Calibrate regularly
  • Maintain regularly
  • Store reagents appropriately
  • Interpret results correctly

Point of care test methods

• Immunochromatography
  • Faecal occult blood test
  • Pregnancy test
  • Procalcitonin
  • Microbiology
  • COVID test
• Enzymatic
  • Glucose
• Electrode
  • Blood gas