In the intensive care unit (ICU), rapid changes in a patient's condition often necessitate biochemical monitoring with diagnostic laboratory tests and an immediate response. The term point-of-care (POC) testing, also called near-patient testing or bedside testing, refers to the performance of diagnostic tests at or near the patient. Traditionally, these tests were performed in the central or stat laboratory. With POC testing, these tests are performed outside of the confines of the clinical laboratories of health care facilities.

Point-of-care testing is being used in different locations, including clinics, health departments, independent laboratories (usually large clinic facilities, not reference laboratories, health fairs, transport services, hospitals, and patients' homes. In hospitals, they primarily are performed in areas with the most urgent need for rapid diagnosis and therapy, such as emergency departments, surgical suites, critical care units, and certain outpatient areas.<sup>20 Kost G., Ehrmeyer S., Chernow B. , et al. The laboratory–clinical interface: Point-Of-Care testing Chest 1999 ;  115 : 1140-1154  [cross-ref]

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With rapid advances in technology, POC testing is a dynamic work in progress; the analyzers are becoming smaller, faster, and more user-friendly and have been demonstrated to achieve accuracy with increasingly smaller blood samples, aiding in blood conservation.<sup>20 Kost G., Ehrmeyer S., Chernow B. , et al. The laboratory–clinical interface: Point-Of-Care testing Chest 1999 ;  115 : 1140-1154  [cross-ref]

Cliquez ici pour aller à la section Références</sup> Blood conservation through small blood samples is an added asset for neonatal and pediatric patients, especially in the ICU, where the patient's condition often requires multiple blood draws.

The staff at every hospital and every critical care unit must decide which bedside tests or cluster of tests are indicated for their given patient population. To determine this, other factors must be considered, including advantages and disadvantages, analysis of test accuracy, clinical impact, and cost–benefit ratio. The advantages and disadvantages of POC testing include: