Which of the following is a potential disadvantage of point-of-care testing?

Point-of-care testing (POCT) refers to diagnostic testing that occurs at or near the site of patient care. While POCT offers many advantages, such as rapid results and increased accessibility, one of its potential disadvantages is the possibility of producing false positives or negatives.

This occurs because POCT devices often rely on specific technology and methods that might not be as thoroughly validated as those used in traditional laboratory settings. Factors such as user error, improper specimen handling, or limitations in the analytical sensitivity and specificity of the tests can contribute to inaccuracies. Such errors can lead to incorrect clinical decisions, making it imperative for healthcare providers to be aware of this limitation.

The other options do not accurately reflect challenges associated with POCT. The first suggests that POCT guarantees accurate results, which overlooks the inherent risks of inaccuracies. The assertion that it eliminates the need for laboratory tests ignores the fact that confirmatory testing may still be needed for definitive diagnoses. Finally, while POCT can lead to cost savings in certain contexts, it doesn't inherently increase testing costs; rather, it often aims to reduce costs by enabling rapid decision-making and treatment initiation.