Research article summary (published 30 Aug 2006):

Poised for growth. Point-of-care testing.

Full Abstract

The United States is the world's biggest market for diagnostic testing, and one of the most active segments within that is point-of-care testing, or POCT. As test devices become more compact and easier to use, as well as more accurate, tests can be more frequently performed at the point of care, whether that is the emergency department, intensive care unit or a patient's home. Among the most common tests are those for blood glucose, blood gases, cardiac markers and sepsis, as well as pregnancy and ovulation. The biggest advantage of POCT is speed. Although home-based point-of-care testing is common, 70 percent of POCT takes place in hospitals, doctor's offices and other provider locations, and experts predict this segment will grow an average of 15.5 percent each year, significantly outpacing home-based testing. This gatefold gives an overview of POCT, discusses the challenges, benefits for hospitals, and provides a glimpse of what experts believe point-of-care testing will look like in the future.

Author information

Author/s: Scalise, Dagmara (D);

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Hospitals & health networks / AHA (Hosp Health Netw), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Sep; vol 80 (issue 9) : pp 77-83

Dates: Created 2006/10/12; Completed 2006/10/19; Revised 2007/01/12;

PMID: 17036771, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 2/18/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

Comments and Corrections

ErratumIn: Hosp Health Netw. 2006 Nov;80(11):10.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MeSH Headings (categories) shown below.

Clinical Laboratory Information Systems Diffusion of Innovation Efficiency, Organizational Forecasting Home Care Services Hospitals Humans

Humans Models, Organizational Physicians' Offices Point-of-Care Systems - standards; trends; utilization Quality Control Time Factors United States

Note: Bold headings indicate primary MeSH headings or qualifiers.

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