Near patient testing in microbiology has the potential to not only provide evidence for timely and appropriate treatment of infectious diseases but also to direct the application of antimicrobial stewardship and the cost effective use of pathology.
This presentation will briefly review the history of POCT (point of care testing) in microbiology practice and the potential impacts of hand held molecular devices for clinicians, the clinical diagnostic microbiology laboratory and the practice of infectious diseases.
The challenges to current and new scientists as well as the importance and new knowledge and skills required by students and clinicians practicing in this developing environment will also be highlighted as well as the potential impacts on remote, Pacific Island, public Health, outbreak and disaster practices