Point-of-care testing refers to any laboratory test performed in an area outside of the hospital’s clinical laboratory. There are two categories of tests:

1. Waived tests: are considered to be the most simple to perform, and often FDA approved for home use. Examples include urine multistix, coloscreen for fecal occult blood, or blood glucose monitoring with a glucose meter.
   
   
2. Non-waived tests: are moderately complex laboratory tests such as electrolyte and blood gas analysis or ACT testing, or highly complex laboratory tests (not performed as here at UCSF/MZ).

UCSF Medical Center - Point of Care Laboratory Testing - 1 -