Keynote Presentation: Point of Care Testing for Infectious Disease ID POCT w/ Live Q&A

Large scale deployment of rapid, low-cost, hand-held point of care testing devices for diagnosing infectious diseases is critical for improving global health. Recent advances in engineering and technologies have brought us closer to realizing the goal of near patient testing; to test and treat, if needed, in a single visit. This paradigm shift in point of care testing is being made possible through miniaturization, integration of advanced technologies and improved analytical performance characteristics. Even with these advances, questions remain over the role the lab should play in oversight of near-patient testing to ensure proficiency and accuracy of test results.

Learning Objectives:

1. Discuss WHO’s ASSURED criteria for POCT.

2. Identify some of the newest POCT technologies being used.

3. Discuss quality control/quality assurance steps needed for POCT accuracy.