Point-of-care diagnostics are central to acute medicine delivery

Point-of-care diagnostics deliver rapid, actionable results to aid in clinical decision making for patients with acute illness. Ranging from in vitro diagnostics, such as high-sensitivity troponin, to point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), incorporating point-of-care diagnostics into clinical care offers accelerated decision making and streamlined assessment pathways. Point-of-care testing has been embraced by acute medicine services, where benefits are demonstrated across the whole range of patient acuity, from resuscitation to same-day emergency care. Use extends beyond the hospital setting, with point-of-care diagnostics used in pre-hospital assessment and hospital at home services, helping patients to avoid hospital admission, benefitting patients and hospital services. Ongoing innovations in point-of-care diagnostics are reshaping acute care delivery, with acute medicine at the forefront of embedding these new technologies into routine practice.