Testing at the patient's bedside.

Performing laboratory tests at the patient's bedside has become a popular component of care, primarily because of the immediate availability of test results. Bedside glucose monitoring programs have been the prototype for bedside testing and have provided the most experience in this area. Studies of bedside glucose testing have shown that in order to obtain reliably accurate results, there must be a well-designed and well-implemented quality assurance program, which should involve laboratory professionals. However, medical necessity, cost, and alternatives should be thoroughly considered before beginning a bedside testing program, as well as the commitment to a strong quality assurance program.