Simulation Analysis and Comparison of Point of Care Testing and Central Laboratory Testing.

ABSTRACT: Background. In response to demand for fast and efficient clinical testing, the use of point-of-care testing (POCT) has become increasingly common in the United States. However, studies of POCT implementation have found that adopting POCT may not always be advantageous relative to centralized laboratory testing. Methods. We construct a simulation model of patient flow in an outpatient care setting to evaluate tradeoffs involved in POCT implementation across multiple dimensions, comparing measures of patient outcomes in varying clinical scenarios, testing regimes, and patient conditions. Results. We find that POCT can significantly reduce clinical time for patients, as compared to traditional testing regimes, in settings where clinic and central testing areas are far apart. However, as dista

SUBMITTER: Harder R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6589980 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan-Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature