[French Society of Clinical Biology (SFBC) guidelines on point-of-care testing]

Abstract

The "Emergency Biology" working group of the French Society of Clinical Biology (SFBC) presents in this article its recommendations for the application of article L6211-18 of the Public Health Code, when the analytical phase of a medical biology examination cannot be carried out in a medical laboratory within a time frame compatible with the patient's state of health. A proposal for a list of examinations that may be carried out outside the laboratory (point-of-care testing - POCT) is made, by associating the elements justifying this delocalization: clinical contexts concerned and maximum time limits for carrying out the examination in these contexts if the examination is carried out within the LBM. These recommendations are to be adapted within the framework of local clinic biological agreements.

Keywords: POCT; clinical needs; guidelines.