The advantage of quick test results to enable faster clinical decisions is one of the major reasons to implement point-of-care testing (POCT). At a time when hospitals and laboratories are under intense pressure, the benefits of patients accessing tests outside the traditional laboratory environment are evident. POCT is convenient for patients, increases access to tests, and enables earlier intervention.
Yet, determining the return on investment (ROI) and overall value of POCT is a confusing endeavor. ROI has long been used to guide policymakers in decisions about new clinical interventions and to evaluate healthcare purchases but is rarely defined for lab tests. This is likely because ROI determination requires collection of data outside of the laboratory, including impact on patient outcomes that is difficult to determine and convert into cost savings.
