Point-of-care (POC) is a medical term referring to the delivery of health care at the point of patient contact. Point-of-care tests (POCTs) are diagnostic tests that are performed at or near the site of patient care. POC testing can be performed on patients in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, physician offices, and even at home.
Some of the emerging trends in Point-Of-Care include the use of mobile technologies, such as smartphones and tablets, for health care delivery, the use of point-of-care diagnostics for disease detection and management, and the use of point-of-care devices for patient monitoring.