The Creation of Point-of-Careology Goals The objectives of this study were to improve awareness of point-of-care testing as a new medical field, to solidify relationships among point-of-care professionals and other medical disciplines, and to identify potential for advancing medical applications, economic benefits, and patient impact through timely decision-making for evidence-based medicine. Methods Literature review, comprehensive analysis, focused analysis, inductive logic, general summary of international outcomes, and comparative advances that improve point-of-care impact in China and other countries in need of rapid response were performed in this study. Results The creation of point-of-careology comprised the following: (a) introduction of its research and practical scope, (b) appropriate definition of this new field, (c) description of the range of applications, and (d) identification of relationships with other disciplines. Conclusions Point-of-care testing now is being written into a professional textbook in medical schools in China. Point-of-careology is the outcome of evolution in intelligent diagnostics. Notable achievements in critical care medicine, emergency response, and general practice have resulted from the implementation of point-of-care testing over the past 4 decades. As a new discipline, point-of-careology will contribute to key medical areas, such as disaster preparedness and public health, which we explore. The creation of this new specialty is justified by trends in modern medicine with improved service to the public and by parallel technological advances that empower health care providers at sites of need to deliver complete care cycles quickly and effectively.

Usability of IBDoc, a Novel Fecal Calprotectin Home-Based Rapid Test in Clinical Practice The aim of this study was to examine sustained usability and adherence to a fecal calprotectin (FC) home-based rapid test in an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) monitoring program in clinical practice. Methods In total, 59 consecutive IBD outpatients were recruited. The participants were asked to measure FC with a home-based rapid test, IBDoc, every second month for a period of 14 months. At start and termination of this time period, they were invited to answer a questionnaire concerning the IBDoc device. The participants were also asked to deliver one stool sample for FC to be analyzed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and analyze the same sample with the home-based FC test at start and termination. Results In total, one-third (34%) of the participants were adherent to the IBDoc program. No patient characteristics were significantly associated with being adherent. The home-based test correlated well with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method (Spearman rank correlation coefficient was 0.92, P < 0.001 and 0.74, P < 0.001, at study start and termination, respectively). After having used the IBDoc for over a year, all except for 1 of the 36 participants answering the follow-up questionnaire completely agreed with the statement “I would like to use IBDoc in the future.” Conclusions We found a low adherence to home-based FC measurements every second month for a period of 14 months. Nevertheless, all but 1 of the 36 participants who answered the follow-up questionnaire were interested in continuing using the IBDoc test.

What's New in Point-of-Care Testing? Point-of-care testing (POCT) has the potential to improve turnaround time, increase efficiency, decentralize diagnostics in rural and underserved communities, and advance health care in areas such as space and high-altitude wilderness. In many cases, POCT is accurate and simple to perform and produces results within minutes. However, its implementation can pose logistical and educational challenges, especially if testing does not easily integrate with the end users' workflow. Literature published on POCT between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2018, was reviewed, and articles were selected for a more in-depth discussion. Relevant literature was grouped into the following categories: transfusion medicine, coagulation, glucose and diabetes, infectious disease and human immunodeficiency virus, emergency medicine, technological advances, and other.

Beyond Price and Functionality: What to Consider When Buying a New Information System No abstract available