Throughout the years, medical testing has generally been centralized within the lab. Large volumes of samples need to be tested in clinical laboratories and it would take a long time before results can be interpreted. Nowadays, new technologies give way to tests which could be performed at the patient’s bedside and beyond the laboratories. This shift to point-of-care testing could be advantageous to both the patient and the healthcare provider. Here are some of its benefits:
1. Point-of-care testing is faster than laboratory testing.
The capability to conduct tests and receive instant results near the patient is the main advantage of point-of-care testing. The test results only take a few minutes to obtain, making it significantly faster than laboratory testing.
2. Point-of-care testing can be done anywhere and anytime.
One of the main highlights of point-of-care testing is that it can be done anywhere:
– At home – Small clinics – Ambulances – Hospitals – Emergency rooms – Military camps – Radiology departments
Because of its portability, point-of-care testing can detect infectious diseases in remote or resource-limited areas that do not have access to large laboratories in the city.
3. Point-of-care testing can be performed by any healthcare practitioner.Â
The latest point-of-care devices are now more compact and easier to use; even staff who are not expertly trained in clinical laboratory services can use them. Their simpler step procedures provide fast, lab-quality results without the need for large laboratory equipment.
4. Point-of-care testing is beneficial in emergency situations.
Point-of-care can help alleviate the overcrowding in the emergency room by reducing the time it takes to treat patients. It can also be used to focus on the prevention, early detection, and monitoring chronic conditions.
5. Point-of-care testing is cheaper than laboratory testing.Â
Laboratory equipment can be expensive and could take up more space in the facility. Point-of-care testing devices are generally smaller and could be brought anywhere. They are also inexpensive compared to the usual diagnostic equipment used by laboratories.
Abbott Laboratories, the global leader in point-of-care diagnostics, created the i-STAT blood analyzer. This revolutionary handheld point-of-care device improves patient care decision-making by providing medical professionals with the necessary information for rapid decisions, enhancing healthcare quality and efficiency. Get the i-STAT now by filling up the form below.
