Why might a healthcare institution choose to implement POCT?

Implementing Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) primarily enhances patient care by facilitating faster diagnosis. Rapid results from POCT enable healthcare providers to make timely clinical decisions, which can significantly improve patient outcomes. With immediate access to test results, clinicians can initiate treatment quicker, thus reducing the risk of complications and enhancing the patient's overall experience. This swift response is particularly crucial in emergency settings where timely intervention can be life-saving.

In contrast, the other options do not encapsulate the fundamental purpose of POCT. While reducing workforce requirements or maximizing profit margins might be incidental effects, they do not reflect the core objective of POCT, which is centered around patient care. Additionally, centralizing testing may not align with the decentralization nature of POCT, as these tests are meant to be performed close to the patient, rather than in a centralized laboratory setting. Therefore, the emphasis of POCT is on improving the speed and effectiveness of patient diagnosis and subsequent care.