Table 1. Comparison for the design requirements and operational demands of a POC monitoring device based on World Health Organization (WHO) Standards for POC healthcare delivery at resource-scarce settings, and conventional devices at developed world settings.

	Resource-Scarce Settings	Developed World Settings
Cost	Inexpensive per test; disposable; maintenance free or minimal inexpensive maintenance	Expensive per test; costly to maintain
Personnel Needs	Minimally training; easy to maintain and operate	Requires highly-trained personnel
Environmental Conditions	Functional at high temperatures and high humidity conditions	Room temperature and regular humidity levels
Infrastructure	Battery operable without dependence on constant electrical supply	Needs advanced and reliable infrastructure without power outages
Accessibility	Portable; deliverable to end users as a handheld system without a need for centralized hospitals or clinics	Performed at established hospitals and clinics beyond the district level
Accuracy & Precision	Moderate to high to satisfy the minimal requirements of clinical decision making	High
Throughput	High	High