Point-of-Care Testing: Summary of Evidence

Point-of-care, or POC, testing occurs at or near where a patient is located and may be used for many different purposes. POC testing can include tests conducted by a patient (self-monitoring), family member, care provider, or community health professional at home; and tests conducted inside a clinic, hospital, laboratory, or long-term care facility.

CADTH has reviewed the evidence on POC testing for the following health services areas, which are included in this summary:

• cardiac/vascular
• diabetes
• infectious diseases
• ultrasound and imaging.

CADTH resources on optimizing the use of lab tests and diabetes management provides more evidence-based information.