Point-of-care testing (POCT) is now a proven approach that can provide faster turnaround (TAT) of laboratory test results. As manufacturers continue to introduce new POCT technologies, POCT is increasing in popularity, breadth of testing, and the diversity of available clinical applications.

Point-of-care (POC) testing can potentially improve the detection and management of infectious diseases by reducing the time between testing for and the diagnosis of an infection. Rapidly diagnosing an infection benefits the patient by facilitating timely access to care and initiation of therapy; it may also benefit the population at large by reducing the probability of disease transmission.

Furthermore, rapidly identifying the cause of an infection and promptly initiating appropriate therapy may reduce inappropriate antimicrobial use in the community. For acute illnesses such as influenza and streptococcal pharyngitis, early identification and intervention are associated with better outcomes and reduced transmission.

Point of Care Testing offers the general community the benefits of easy access, quality, and cost-effective healthcare services. For instance, point-of-care glucose testing (finger stick test) for patients with diabetes requires less-invasive and less-complex sample collection compared with blood testing. It also provides rapid results that can help make more timely treatment decisions.

Moreover, in the age in which patients are constantly seeking exceptional yet instantaneous service, Point of Care service improves patient satisfaction and removes likely barriers that prevent them from receiving follow-up care.

Traditional HIV testing, such as ELISA (enzyme-linked immunoassays), needs quite a few days for results, while the rapid HIV tests can produce results in as little as 20 minutes. This can enable treatment initiation and progression toward reducing undiagnosed HIV infection around the world.

Point of Care Testing for infectious diseases is based on a variety of microbial particle-based or antibody-based detection methods, including agglutination, enzyme-linked immunosorbent, optical immunoassays, or lateral flow immunochromatography.

Common Point of Care Testing for infectious diseases can detect a variety of infections or microorganisms from patient specimens.

As a wellness community pharmacy practice, a point of care testing service will not only help reduce the overall cost incurred by a patient or third-party payer for a health care encounter, it also introduces the possibility to provide the patient with the most cost-effective service. Patients will essentially save money by having the test performed at a pharmacy. Along with decreased costs, a point of testing service also increases access, which can decrease the patient’s overall time spent.

A few of the community pharmacy-based Rapid Diagnostic Testing CLIA-waived tests currently being offered at Pharmacies include international normalized ratio, Helicobacter pylori, A1C, influenza, and HIV/hepatitis C virus screening. Infectious disease tests can be used in community pharmacies to screen for communicable diseases of public health interest.

For example, performing Point-of-Care Testing services for HIV and hepatitis C virus can improve linkage to appropriate care or counseling services for patients with reactive test results. Expanded surveillance through the use of these tests may also provide more accurate data on disease prevalence as well as increase public health agencies’ ability to reach targeted populations for screening.