The application of point-of-care testing has become commonplace across much of diagnostics. Here, Sarah Pitt looks at the situation in microbiology and how this technology can benefit patient care and infection control.
The repertoire of commercially available point-of-care test (POCT) kits for infectious agents has increased rapidly in recent years. There are immunological tests (mostly immunochromatographic lateral-flow assays) and molecular formats, which comprise RNA or DNA amplification systems incorporated into a benchtop analyser. Kits are designed to allow someone who has been trained in the method to perform the test quickly and easily, but they do not need an understanding of the underlying scientific principles.
Results are usually produced in a relatively short time when compared to the main laboratory assay. The idea of doing a test assay on the ward or in a primary care setting, thus removing the extra steps involved in collecting a specimen and transporting it to the laboratory, is an attractive one. Also, if a result can be obtained within minutes or hours rather than days, it should aid faster clinical decision-making, which could be good for the patient and also cost-effective in terms of resources.1
The question that a POCT (or rapid diagnostic test [RDT]) presents to microbiology laboratory scientists and clinicians is how it might enhance their diagnostic service.2 Accounts of evaluation of the technical parameters of many microbiology POCT assays have been published, allowing potential advantages and drawbacks to be considered by the laboratory team. Local assessment is also advisable.2
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