Advances toward At-Home Measurements of Complete Blood Cell Counts and Other Hematological Parameters

The ability to perform complete blood count (CBC) testing in at-home settings could transform patient care by enabling earlier detection of diseases, improving the management of chronic diseases, and reducing the burden on healthcare facilities. However, transitioning CBCs─or key components of them─outside of a clinical laboratory can present significant challenges, particularly in maintaining the analytical performance necessary for clinical utility. In this Perspective, we explore emerging technologies aimed at bringing CBC testing closer to patients. We discuss how accuracy and precision are reported for different technologies and the current advancements in portable and at-home CBC technologies, all while identifying both successes and gaps in current solutions. Additionally, we highlight innovations in point-of-care sample collection that facilitates remote clinical laboratory analysis. By emphasizing quantitative performance metrics, we aim to define critical research priorities for future home-based CBC devices. While no single solution currently meets all analytical and practical demands, ongoing technological advancements continue to drive progress toward reliable and accessible decentralized CBC testing.