Poised for growth. Point-of-care testing.

Area of Science:

• Medical Diagnostics
• Clinical Laboratory Science

Background:

• The United States leads the global market for diagnostic testing.
• Point-of-care testing (POCT) is a rapidly expanding segment within diagnostics.
• Increasingly compact, user-friendly, and accurate devices facilitate POCT in diverse settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of point-of-care testing (POCT).
• To discuss the challenges and benefits of POCT, particularly for hospitals.
• To explore future trends in POCT.

Main Methods:

• The study provides a qualitative overview of the POCT market.
• It synthesizes information on common POCT applications and advantages.
• Expert predictions on future POCT growth are discussed.

Main Results:

• POCT offers significant speed advantages for diagnostic testing.
• Common POCT applications include blood glucose, blood gases, cardiac markers, sepsis, pregnancy, and ovulation tests.
• Despite home use, 70% of POCT occurs in provider locations.

Conclusions:

• POCT is a vital and growing component of the US diagnostic market.
• The segment is predicted to grow at an average annual rate of 15.5%, exceeding home-based testing growth.
• POCT offers substantial benefits for healthcare providers, emphasizing speed and accessibility.