New Era Medical Journal
Official Journal of the Society of Multidisciplinary Health Sciences
Open Access Journal
Open Access Journal
Background: Emergency departments require rapid diagnosis to manage time-sensitive conditions such as sepsis, acute coronary syndrome, and trauma. Delays associated with central laboratory testing can affect patient outcomes. Point-of-care testing (POCT) provides rapid bedside diagnostic results and may improve emergency care efficiency.
Aim: To evaluate the role of point-of-care testing in emergency medicine.
Methods: A structured literature review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Forty-six studies evaluating POCT use in emergency departments were included and analyzed.
Results: POCT significantly reduced diagnostic turnaround time, with results available within minutes. Early access to test results supported faster clinical decision-making, reduced emergency department length of stay, and improved patient flow. POCT was particularly beneficial in high-volume and resource-limited settings, with good agreement reported between POCT and central laboratory results.
Conclusion: Point-of-care testing is an effective complement to central laboratory services in emergency medicine, supporting timely diagnosis and improved emergency department workflow.
Keywords: Point-of-care testing; Emergency medicine; Rapid diagnostics; Emergency care
| DOI: | 10.62502/nemj/v1i3art1 |
| Journal: | New Era Medical Journal |
| Abbreviation: | New Era Med. J. |
| ISSN (Online): | 3107-622X |
| Volume/Issue: | 1(3) |
| Pages: | 1-8 |