Simple devices and their possible application in clinical laboratory downsizing.

The pressure to contain medical costs prompted the development of sophisticated downsizing options for the clinical laboratory, such as automation, information systems, or miniaturization of analytical methods. Faced with an array of approaches to choose from, medical institutions have to select the method that can best serve their particular purposes and circumstances. However, the concept of downsizing needs to be revised and applied to the entire medical system. One way to reduce total medical expenditure would be to shift to near-patient or POC testing, through the adoption of simple devices for immunoassay based on immunochromatography. Recent advancements in the area of simple devices have suggested their possible application for emergency testing sites. This paper reviews the specific situation of Japan with respect to laboratory downsizing and market environment, and discusses the possible future applications of simple devices to near-patient or POC testing.