Economic considerations of point-of-care testing.

Point-of-care testing is a rapidly expanding trend. This review discusses some of the issues driving the development of this new approach to laboratory testing, assesses the factors appropriate in introducing and managing point-of-care testing, and directs attention to realistically assessing the potential for cost-effectiveness analysis. Although considered optimal, formal cost-effective analysis is limited. A commentary on the published literature of the field is presented. Observations are offered on the inadequacies of published studies that purport to describe this application. As an alternative, a more general assessment of the economic effect of point-of-care testing in the general context of the laboratory mission is recommended. Suggested guidelines are included.