Completely revised and expanded from 27 to 46 chapters, this book, written by an international list of contributors, gives you the latest developments in the rapidly growing field of point-of-care testing (POCT). It is the second edition of this major text to bring together:
- An introduction to the case for POCT in today's changing healthcare environment
- Analytical principles of POCT technology
- Management issues
- Applications of POCT in a wide and comprehensive range of clinical settings
- Predictions for POCT in the future
The first section sets the scene for the use of in vitro diagnostic testing in the healthcare environment of the 21st century, describing how the delivery of care is changing and the need for rapid testing. The second section explores the analytical principles underlying POCT systems, including new technologies being developed, and the ways in which the devices have been designed to reflect the environment in which they are used. The third section covers POCT management issues, including regulation, procurement of equipment, training and certification of staff, quality control, quality assurance, information management, and the economics of POCT. The fourth section reviews the evidence for the use of POCT in a wide range of clinical care settings, supporting or refuting the benefits. The final section offers some predictions for the future of POCT and its role in healthcare. This expanded second edition explores more issues around the use of POCT and describes a wider range of clinical scenarios in which POCT is used. If you are dealing with point-of-care testing, you need this book!
