Point-of-care testing: a cardiologist's view

Clin Chim Acta. 2001 Sep 15;311(1):57-61. doi: 10.1016/s0009-8981(01)00560-5.

Abstract

The rationale for point-of-care testing is that more rapid provision of biochemical test results performed at the patients bedside will equate with better outcomes. For this to be the case, a number of conditions must be satisfied, and in particular the choice of appropriate markers, an adequate turnaround time (TAT), and an accurate measurement. Point-of-care testing of cardiac markers was found to reduce TAT from 72 (central laboratory) to 20 min thus allowing to decrease total hospital stay.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers
  • Cardiology / trends*
  • Electrocardiography
  • Heart Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Heart Diseases / economics
  • Humans
  • Point-of-Care Systems* / economics

Substances

  • Biomarkers