Copyright © 2026 Authors retain the copyright of this article. This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

@article{185374,
        author = {Dr Selvakumar Kandaswamy and Dr Suganthi Muralidharan and Dr Saravanan Radhakrishnan},
        title = {POINT-OF-CARE TESTING (POCT): A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF INTEGRATION AND VALIDATION ACROSS DIVERSE CLINICAL DISCIPLINES},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {12},
        number = {5},
        pages = {1156-1162},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=185374},
        abstract = {Point-of-care testing (POCT) has emerged as a transformative approach in clinical diagnostics, providing rapid results at or near the site of patient care. Its increasing use in emergency departments, intensive care units, and outpatient clinics has redefined diagnostic pathways by shortening turnaround time and facilitating timely therapeutic decisions. However, the benefits of POCT can only be realized if implementation is structured, validation is rigorous, and quality assurance measures are sustained. This review critically examines the evolution of POCT, strategies for clinical integration, and frameworks for analytical validation, while contrasting POCT with central laboratory systems. The roles of external quality assessment (EQA), daily internal quality control (QC), and institutional governance—including oversight by laboratory directors, quality managers, and point-of-care coordinators—are emphasized. The review also outlines challenges such as cost, operator variability, and data integration, and explores emerging trends including multiplex assays, digital connectivity, and artificial intelligence-driven diagnostics. Together, these insights provide a comprehensive overview for laboratory professionals, clinicians, and policy makers to guide safe and effective adoption of POCT in line with international standards.},
        keywords = {Point-of-care testing (POCT); Implementation; Validation; Quality assurance; Multiplex diagnostics; Regulatory frameworks; Digital health; Clinical governance},
        month = {October},
        }