Point-of-care testing: revolutionizing clinical biochemistry using decentralized diagnostics

Point-of-care testing (POCT) refers to decentralized testing done using complex but compact, portable devices that can be done near the site at the patient's bedside. These enable quick diagnosis and timely intervention because turnaround time (TAT) decreases with these devices. They can also be operated by non-medical personnel and patients with minimum expertise as these devices are easy to handle and interpret. This increases patient awareness regarding their diseases and benefits doctors in giving more patient-centered care. POCT devices require minimum setup and can be utilized even in remote places. The present review focuses on POCT devices employed specifically in clinical biochemistry, e.g., glucose, HbA1c, cardiac biomarkers, fertility tests, hematological analysis, electrolytes, enzymes, urine dipstick tests, etc. This introductory review delves into comprehending the fundamentals of POCT technologies, their guidelines, applications, advantages, and disadvantages. It covers a broad overview of the tests done and the samples required to process these tests. It also compares the pros and cons of POCT devices over centralized laboratory testing. The review also aims to emphasize the relevance of its use in today's era, current trends regarding POCT in urban and rural setups, challenges faced in the field during its implementation, and the potential areas of improvement in the future. However, it is advisable to seek references for more detailed and critical information regarding all the specific topics given in this review article.