What Is POCT?
Direct answer: POCT (point-of-care testing) is diagnostic testing performed near the patient — at the bedside, in a clinic, pharmacy or field — rather than in a central laboratory. It delivers results in minutes, enabling immediate clinical or operational decisions.
What defines POCT
- Proximity — testing where the patient is, not where the lab is.
- Speed — results in minutes, not hours or days.
- Simplicity — instrument-free or minimal-instrument operation.
- Sample — whole blood, swab, urine or saliva at the point of collection.
Where POCT is used
- Emergency and triage — cardiac markers (troponin), blood gas.
- Infectious disease — dengue, malaria, influenza, COVID, HIV screening.
- Primary care and pharmacy — Strep A, pregnancy, drug screening.
- Field and outbreak settings — instrument-free rapid tests.
- Occupational health — workplace drug testing.
Advantages
- Faster time to diagnosis and treatment
- Decentralized — reaches settings without lab infrastructure
- Low-skill, minimal-equipment operation
- Potential room-temperature storage, depending on formulation
Limitations
- Sensitivity may be lower than laboratory methods
- Visual results can be subjective
- Requires operator training and QC for reliable use
- Results are screening-grade — confirmatory testing may be needed
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between POCT and IVD? IVD is the broad category; POCT is the subset performed near the patient.
Are all rapid tests POCT? Most are — a rapid test run near the patient is POCT.
Is POCT as accurate as lab testing? It depends on the analyte and assay; confirmatory lab testing may be required for critical results.
Related knowledge
References
- WHO diagnostic testing guidance (point-of-care and rapid diagnostics).
- Koczula KM, Gallotta A. Lateral flow assays. Essays Biochem. 2016;60(1):111-120.
By Progene Bio Regulatory Affairs Team · Medical Device QA · Medical disclaimer · Last reviewed: 2026-09-12