[POCT and system].

POCT refers to a medical test which is carried out at sites other than a central laboratory. It includes a simple test that medical service staff carry out at the scene of a medical treatment and self-care tests that patients can perform by themselves at home. This concept has been established in the U.S. since the late 1980's. In recent years, doctor's offices and clinics have been leaders in primary care and are now paying close attention to immediate testing facilities inside their hospitals to provide better service to patients. Now, we can see more and more POCT equipment being introduced to such places. Since it is unlikely that specially trained technicians can staff the hospital around the clock, physicians or nurses have must operate the POCT instrument themselves. Based on this fact, easily accessible instruments that produce reliable data are strongly required. ARKRAY introduces the "CARE LAB" system that combines special data management software "MEQNET" with various POCT devices. These systems facilitate establishing an "in-clinic inspection station" in a general practitioner or clinic. This article presents detailed information on various POCT products and the "MEQNET" program that make up the "CARE LAB" System.