Point-of-care testing (POCT) refers to pathology testing performed in a clinical setting at the time of patient consultation, generating a rapid test result that enables informed and timely clinical action to be taken on patient care. It offers patients greater convenience and access to health services and helps to improve clinical outcomes. POCT also provides innovative solutions for the detection and management of chronic, acute and infectious diseases, in settings including family practices, Indigenous medical services, community health facilities, rural and remote areas and in developing countries, where health-care services are often geographically isolated from the nearest pathology laboratory. A Practical Guide to Global Point-of-Care Testing shows health professionals how to set up and manage POCT services under a quality-assured, sustainable, clinically and culturally effective framework, as well as understand the wide global scope and clinical applications of POCT. The book is divided into three major themes: the management of POCT services, a global perspective on the clinical use of POCT, and POCT for specific clinical settings. Chapters within each theme are written by experts and explore wide-ranging topics such as selecting and evaluating devices, POCT for diabetes, coagulation disorders, HIV, malaria and Ebola, and the use of POCT for disaster management and in extreme environments. Figures are included throughout to illustrate the concepts, principles and practice of POCT. Written for a broad range of practicing health professionals from the fields of medical science, health science, nursing, medicine, paramedic science, Indigenous health, public health, pharmacy, aged care and sports medicine, A Practical Guide to Global Point-of-Care Testing will also benefit university students studying these health-related disciplines.

Table of Contents:
About the editor
Contributors
Preface
Chapter 1: An introduction to point-of-care testing and its global scope and application

The Management of Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) Services
Chapter 2: Principles of establishing and managing a point-of-care testing service
Chapter 3: Selection and evaluation of point-of-care testing devices
Chapter 4: Training and competency assessment for device operators
Chapter 5: Quality management of point-of-care testing devices
Chapter 6: Use of connectivity for managing point-of-care testing results
Chapter 7: Regulation and accreditation of point-of-care testing services
Chapter 8: How to evaluate the effectiveness of point-of-care testing

A Global Perspective on the Clinical Use of Point-of-Care Testing
Chapter 9: Point-of-care testing for diabetes: glucose
Chapter 10: Point-of-care testing for diabetes: haemoglobin A1c
Chapter 11: Point-of-care testing for kidney disease
Chapter 12: Point-of-care testing for cardiovascular disease
Chapter 13: Point-of-care testing for the management of oral anticoagulants
Chapter 14: Point-of-care testing for markers of haematology disorders
Chapter 15: Point-of-care testing for electrolytes and acid-base imbalances
Chapter 16: Point-of-care testing of cardiac markers
Chapter 17: Point-of-care testing for chlamydia, gonorrhoea and trichomoniasis
Chapter 18: Point of care testing for syphilis
Chapter 19: Point-of-care testing for HIV
Chapter 20: Point-of-care testing for hepatitis
Chapter 21: Rapid influenza diagnostic tests: clinical usage and significance
Chapter 22: Point-of-care testing for malaria
Chapter 23: Point-of-care testing for active tuberculosis
Chapter 24: Point-of-care testing for Ebola and other highly infectious threats: principles, practice, and strategies for stopping outbreaks
Chapter 25: Point-of-care testing for C-reactive protein
Chapter 26: Point-of-care testing for drugs of abuse

POCT for specific clinical settings
Chapter 27: Point-of-care testing in general practice
Chapter 28: Point-of-care testing in rural, remote and Indigenous settings
Chapter 29: Point-of-care testing in the hospital setting
Chapter 30: Point-of-care testing for paramedic services
Chapter 31: Point-of-care testing for disaster management
Chapter 32: Point-of-care testing and extreme environments – the Australian Antarctic Division
Chapter 33: Point-of-care testing in sports science
Chapter 34: Point-of-care testing in the pharmacy
Chapter 35: Point-of-care testing with ultrasound
Chapter 36: Stakeholder perspectives on point-of-care testing
Chapter 37: A 2020 vision for point-of-care testing
Index