In the context of POCT, what is an analyte?

An analyte is the specific substance or component being measured or analyzed in a sample during a point-of-care test. In the context of POCT, the analyte is the target of the testing procedure, which provides valuable information about the patient's health status. This can include a range of substances, such as glucose levels, cholesterol, hormones, drugs, or pathogens, depending on the type of test being performed.

The choice regarding the person being tested refers to the individual providing the sample, rather than the substance of interest that the test is designed to measure. The result of the test pertains to the outcome indicating the status of the analyte, but it is not the analyte itself. The equipment used for testing encompasses the tools and devices necessary to perform the POCT, but it does not represent the analyte that is being assessed. Therefore, the definition of an analyte is best encapsulated by the choice identifying the sample being analyzed using the POCT.