pointofcareenheder
Point-of-care enheder, or point-of-care devices, are medical testing instruments designed for use at or near the patient to provide rapid diagnostic information. By performing tests outside the central laboratory, these devices deliver results in minutes, supporting timely clinical decisions and streamlining workflow. POC devices span a broad range of modalities, including bedside glucose meters, coagulation devices, portable hematology analyzers, rapid infectious disease tests, lipid panels, lactate meters, blood gas analyzers, and point-of-care ultrasound. They are used in settings such as emergency departments, intensive care units, outpatient clinics, rural health facilities, ambulance services, and home care.
Regulatory and quality considerations are central to POC use. Many devices require regulatory clearance, such as
Benefits include reduced turnaround time, improved patient triage and treatment, better patient flow, and reduced need
The field continues to evolve with advances in microfluidics, multiparameter panels, smartphone integration, and AI-assisted interpretation,