What could be a consequence of obtaining a wrong result in POCT?

Obtaining a wrong result in Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) can lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment, which is a significant risk in clinical settings. When a test result is incorrect, healthcare providers may rely on that data to make crucial decisions regarding a patient's health. Misdiagnosis means that a healthcare professional might think a patient has one condition when they actually have another, potentially leading to delays in receiving the correct treatment or even administering harmful therapies.

For instance, if a POCT indicates a false positive for a specific illness, the patient may undergo unnecessary procedures, experience unnecessary anxiety, or receive medicines that could be detrimental to their health. Additionally, on the flip side, a false negative result could mean that an actual condition goes undetected, resulting in a lack of necessary intervention. Therefore, the consequences of inaccurate results in POCT underscore the importance of reliable testing methods in ensuring patient safety and proper healthcare delivery.