[Which laboratory tests should be performed by general practitioners--and how to assure good analytical quality?]

Near patient testing is increasing both in Norway and abroad. Having test results ready when the patient is present is beneficial in a number of clinical situations, as well as being efficient for both doctor and patient. However, the analytical quality in general practice has proved unstable and in many instances poor. Public expenditures to reimburse near patient tests are soaring. Therefore, high priority must be given to ensuring that the practitioner's laboratory is sound, both professionally and economically. The following items are considered important: All analytical work should be subjected to regular quality assessment. We list a number of constituents that are suitable for near patient analysis. The constituents are divided in two groups: those that all practices should be capable of analyzing, and constituents which should be analyzed in practices with doctors with a special interest in this field. We also suggest changes in the Norwegian public system of reimbursement for near patient testing.