Core Lab vs POC

Question 1

define central lab testing

Answer 1

medical diagnostic testing performed inside clinical laboratory, some distance from where the patient is receiving care

Question 2

CLT: sample types & sample volumes

Answer 2

whole blood, plasma, serum, urine, CSF, body fluids

0.6 mL min. more the better.

Question 3

2 advantages of CLT

Answer 3

1. extensive test menu
2. results accurate and precise
3. usually least expensive option
4. easy to enforce compliace with regulations

Question 4

2 limitations of CLT

Answer 4

1. collection -> result = 30 mins or more
2. requires large volumes of blood
3. analyzers requires large space, and lot of power

Question 5

define POCT

Answer 5

Medical diagnostic testing performed outside the clinical laboratory, in close proximity to where the patient is receiving care.

Question 6

sample type & sample volume of POCT

Answer 6

whole blood, urine, body fluids and stool

minimum - 1 drop - 1mL

Question 7

2 examples of POCT

Answer 7

hcG Urine pregnancy test & roch inform II - glycemic tests

Question 8

Advantages of POCT

Answer 8

collection to result = 15 mins
blood sparing - good for NICU and long-term patients
decreased pre-analytic errors - bc no processing
smaller space and power requirements

Question 9

Limitations of POCT

Answer 9

limited test menu
more extensive option for patient testing
less accurate (not tested by professional & assay is moderate-to-good)
harder to enforce compliance with regulations