Point-of-care testing (POCT) is defined as diagnostic testing at or near the site of patient care. The driving notion behind POCT is to bring the test conveniently and immediately to the patient. This increases the likelihood that the patient will receive the results in a timely manner.

POCT is accomplished through the use of transportable, portable, and handheld instruments (e.g., blood glucose meter) and test kits (e.g., HIV salivary assay). Cheaper, smaller, faster, and smarter POCT devices have increased the use of POCT approaches by making it cost-effective for many diseases, such as diabetes and acute coronary syndrome.

Major benefits are obtained when the output of a POCT device is made available immediately within an electronic medical record. Results can be shared instantaneously with all members of the medical team through the software interface enhancing communication by decreasing turn around time (TAT). A reduction in morbidity and mortality has been associated with goal-directed therapy (GDT) techniques when used in conjunction with POCT and the electronic medical record.

POCT has become established worldwide and finds vital roles in public health. Many monographs in the Thai and Indonesian languages emphasize POCT as the normal standard of care.

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