LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY TRENDS

 Point-of-care testing has changed how clinicians access laboratory information. Instead of sending every specimen to a central laboratory, a compact analyzer can provide important results during the patient encounter. Two well-known systems in this space are the Abbott i-STAT and the Piccolo Xpress. But which is better? The answer depends heavily on the type of testing your facility needs. The i-STAT is built around a broad range of blood gas, electrolyte, chemistry, coagulation, cardiac and other specialized cartridges, while the Piccolo Xpress is primarily a compact clinical chemistry analyzer using self-contained reagent discs. For emergency departments, critical care, ambulances and acute-care environments, i-STAT has some important advantages. For clinics, primary care facilities and settings needing a broader chemistry panel from a small blood sample, Piccolo Xpress can be extremely attractive. Let's compare them from a practical laboratory and POCT perspective. i-STAT vs. P...

Point-of-care testing (POCT) has become an increasingly important part of modern healthcare. Instead of sending specimens to a centralized laboratory and waiting for results, POCT allows certain diagnostic tests to be performed close to where patients receive care. From blood glucose and hemoglobin testing to HbA1c, cardiac markers, blood gases, infectious disease testing, and molecular diagnostics, POCT can provide clinically useful information within minutes or hours. This shorter turnaround time can help healthcare professionals make treatment and referral decisions more quickly. The role of point of care testing is therefore extending beyond convenience. When appropriately selected, implemented, and quality-controlled, POCT can improve access to diagnostics, support clinical decision-making, and help patients receive appropriate care sooner. What Is Point-of-Care Testing? Point-of-care testing refers to diagnostic testing performed at or near the location where patient care is prov...

 Point-of-care testing (POCT) has changed how diagnostic testing is delivered by bringing certain laboratory tests closer to the patient. Instead of collecting a specimen and sending it to a central laboratory for every test, healthcare professionals can perform selected tests in clinics, emergency departments, pharmacies, ambulances, community settings, and even homes. For laboratories, POCT can improve turnaround time and support faster clinical decisions. For clinic owners, it can expand diagnostic services without requiring a full conventional laboratory setup. For patients and consumers, portable testing devices can make some measurements more convenient and accessible. This complete guide explains what point-of-care testing is, how it works, common POCT devices, its advantages and limitations, and what to consider when choosing a point-of-care testing device. What Is Point-of-Care Testing? Point-of-care testing is diagnostic testing performed close to the location where a pat...

Point-of-care testing can bring important diagnostic information directly to patients in their homes. For home health agencies operating in the United States, CLIA-waived POCT devices for home health agencies can support faster clinical decisions without requiring every patient to travel to a laboratory or clinic. But choosing a POCT device is not simply a matter of buying a small analyzer. Home health agencies need to consider CLIA requirements, intended use, specimen collection, analytical performance, quality control, operator training, connectivity, consumable costs, and the practical realities of testing in patients' homes. The FDA's current CLIA database lists numerous waived test systems, including blood glucose monitoring systems, urine testing systems, HbA1c analyzers, infectious disease tests, and other point-of-care technologies. Agencies should verify the current waiver status of the exact test system before purchasing. What Does CLIA-Waived Mean for Home Health Age...

 A point-of-care bilirubinometer can provide rapid bilirubin measurements close to the patient, making it particularly useful in newborn care, maternity units, pediatric clinics, neonatal wards, and facilities where laboratory turnaround time may delay clinical decisions. For healthcare professionals, choosing the right device involves more than looking for the fastest result. Measurement principle, sample requirements, analytical performance, quality control, maintenance, and cost per test all matter. In neonatal care, rapid assessment of bilirubin is important because significant hyperbilirubinemia can lead to serious neurological complications if it is not recognized and managed appropriately. This makes bilirubin testing an important application of point-of-care testing, particularly where access to a central laboratory is limited. What Is a Point-of-Care Bilirubinometer? A bilirubinometer is an analytical device used to measure bilirubin concentration in a blood specimen. Depe...

Laboratory testing is no longer limited to hospitals, clinics and diagnostic laboratories. Today, there are several laboratory tests you can do at home, ranging from simple urine tests to portable blood glucose monitoring and home specimen collection for laboratory analysis. For patients, home testing can provide convenience, privacy and rapid information. For laboratory professionals and healthcare providers, however, it is important to understand what these tests actually measure, how reliable they are, and when a home result needs confirmation by a qualified laboratory. The FDA recognizes home-use tests as tools that can help detect certain conditions, monitor diseases such as diabetes, and provide information about conditions such as pregnancy. It also emphasizes that home testing should complement, rather than replace, appropriate healthcare. 1. H. pylori Tests H. pylori testing at home is becoming increasingly popular, particularly among people experiencing recurrent indigestion,...