What is Point of Care (PoC) Diagnostics and How Do They Work?

Time is crucial in healthcare. It can make the difference between life and death. Traditional laboratory testing is accurate. But they usually require taking samples to specialized facilities. Then there’s the waiting time associated with processing and getting results. This delay can present a challenge for quicker decision-making in case of emergencies and preventing diseases.

Point of care diagnostics (PoC) brings patients and medical testing closer. This blog post explains to you the essentials of PoC and its types. The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the point of care (PoC) diagnostics market has also been covered. Continue reading!

What Is PoC Diagnostics?

PoC diagnostics also goes by the names near-patient testing, remote testing, and rapid diagnostics. It is done with the patient outside of a laboratory. In general, PoC diagnostics can include any medical test that’s carried out when required and provides quick results. In case of emergencies, PoC testing can be done in various locations such as clinics, pharmacies, accident scenes, and homes. These tests can be performed by nurses, first responders, radiologists, and other healthcare providers.

What Products Are Part of PoC Diagnostics?

Glucose Testing

The network point-of-care glucose testing market involves measuring glucose in the blood. It may be done as part of a routine checkup to screen for diabetes and prediabetes. Glucose testing can be performed to diagnose the cause of symptoms that indicate your blood glucose level is too low or too high. Blood glucose testing may be used for monitoring the side effects of certain long-term medications that can have an impact on blood glucose.

Hb1Ac Testing

A hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) test shows the average level of blood glucose over the past two or three months. It can be used for screening or diagnosing Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. HbA1C can help in monitoring the condition. It also checks how well an individual can control blood glucose levels. The test involves the insertion of a small needle into the vein of the arm for taking a blood sample. The test can be carried out in a few minutes.

Cardiac Enzymes

The heart releases substances known as cardiac enzymes into the bloodstream when it experiences stress or damage due to inadequate oxygen supply. An enzyme biomarker test is used for measuring specific biological markers in the blood. High levels of these enzymes can be an indicator of stress on the heart or a heart attack. Cardiac enzymes can also help healthcare providers assess the effectiveness of heart medications and how well heart surgery works.

Lipid Test

Lipids are wax-like substances in the body. They are needed by the body for proper functioning and growth. Triglycerides and cholesterol are two main types of lipids present in the blood. High levels of lipids may cause the arteries to get clogged and increase the risk of stroke and heart disease. A lipid profile test is performed to measure different types of lipids. The test involves taking a blood sample. The blood is typically drawn from a vein located on the back of the hand or inside of the elbow.

What Are the Key Point of Care Diagnostics Market Metrics?

We’ve done an in-depth analysis of the point of care (PoC) diagnostics market. Our analysis reveals that the market for PoC diagnostics stood at USD 55.98 billion in 2024. It is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.40% from 2025 to 2034.

The rising prevalence of chronic and infectious diseases has led to an increased need for timely and reliable testing. Continuous advancements in PoC technology that are improving the accuracy and efficiency across diagnostic applications are also fueling the PoC diagnostics market demand.

What’s the Role of Technology in PoC Diagnostics?

The rise of PoC technology has led to major changes in healthcare. Healthcare providers are now placing more emphasis on better patient outcomes. The adoption of electronic health records is also being done. There’s also a focus on the development of accountable care organizations. PoC technology has the potential to improve the management of various diseases and conditions. This is especially true for areas that have limited access to quality healthcare infrastructure and timely medical care.

The use of mobile devices in PoC diagnostics is helping improve the quality and accessibility of care. Mobile devices are also making PoC testing more cost-effective. The growing use of smartphones and other mobile devices by healthcare providers and patients has brought major changes in how testing works.

It’s now possible to connect medical devices intended for home use to the internet or smartphones. This allows medical professionals to conduct remote monitoring. Examples of such devices include pacemakers, insulin pumps, and blood glucose monitors. Some hospitals have remote monitoring services in place. Here, medical professionals monitor the vital signs of patients located in another location. Alerts to the local staff are provided in case there are any incidents.

How AI is Changing PoC Diagnostics?

The AI in healthcare market is capable of analyzing complex data patterns. This helps improve accuracy and reduce the potential for human error. AI can spot trends in the longitudinal data of patients to facilitate earlier identification of disease. The capability of AI to automate data entry and inventory management helps reduce administrative burden. AI can power decision support tools that can guide non-specialists in remote locations.

Conclusion

PoC diagnostics is a fast-growing segment of the healthcare sector. It makes testing convenient. Healthcare professionals can also get results at a faster rate. The PoC diagnostics market is witnessing the introduction of advanced tools and techniques to make testing more efficient. Manufacturers are increasingly investing in R&D to develop connected devices.