Title: Explain point-of-care testing in relation to hematology.
Course: Medical Laboratory Technology I (14102-I) > Section: Understanding the Basics of Hematology

Explanation could include that point-of-care testing

- uses minute amounts of blood
- can be performed for immediate (i.e., stat) results without sending the patient to a laboratory setting
- uses a hemoglobin meter
- uses a spun hematocrit
- uses an occult blood test.

Process/Skill Questions:

- Why is it important to have the ability to run a hemoglobin level at the patient's bedside?
- Why is it often important to get immediate laboratory results on a patient?
- What is the benefit of using a transcutaneous bilirubin testing method?
- Why is the overall cost of some POC testing more economical than traditional laboratory testing?
- What other factors besides rapid turnaround go into the decision-making process when choosing point-of-care testing?