Point of care testing (POCT) refers to testing performed outside of the central laboratory, nearer to the patient and often at the patient bedside. Within hospital environments the use of POCT is highly regulated and overseen by laboratories in most jurisdictions. The overseeing laboratory is responsible for putting a framework is in-place to ensure appropriate quality assurance practices. These include, but are not limited to, training and certification of users, performance of quality control and external quality assessment, document control, inventory control and monitoring of quality indicators. The importance of accuracy in POCT is critical given the immediate availability of results for clinical action and quality is hindered in the absence of a quality assurance framework. Clinical end-users are rarely laboratory trained and do not always appreciate the importance or relevance of quality assurance practices. It is for this reason that POCT oversight from accredited laboratories is imperative. This special issue is focused on quality assurance practices related to POCT and includes reviews as well as original research on this important topic. Before POCT is implemented for clinical use, tests or devices require verification under the guidance of laboratory professionals, to ensure that the tests are fit for the intended clinical use. Verification data will also inform what risks may be associated with the testing so that educated decisions can be made.
Data management is a key element to enable oversight of POCT quality and refers to central connectivity of POCT instruments with data management software. These systems allow for management of operators, quality control, inventory and patient results.
Choosing appropriate quality indicators for POCT ensures that quality is monitored on an ongoing basis and offers insight into areas requiring improvement. This special issue includes studies that describe approaches to choosing appropriate quality indicators as well as studies that describe real-life uses of quality indicator data to monitor performance of POCT and determine the success of initiatives aimed at improving quality.
As POCT use expands and testing moves outside the laboratory, particularly in environments outside hospitals, implementation of quality assurance frameworks and plans for laboratory oversight will become increasingly important to ensure that results remain as reliable and accurate as possible. Patients must be provided with high quality clinical tests regardless of where the testing takes place. It is crucial for regulators in all jurisdictions to understand the key role that laboratory oversight plays in ensuring appropriate quality assurance practices are in place for POCT. On the side of laboratory professionals, our role is not to hinder the use of POCT technologies, but rather work with clinical colleagues and regulators to develop guidelines and oversight practices that will safeguard quality.