The difference between POCT test and PCR test

The PCR laboratory is also called the gene amplification laboratory. PCR is the abbreviation for Polymerase Chain Reaction. It is a molecular biology technique used to amplify specific DNA fragments, which can be regarded as a special DNA replication in vitro. Through the DNA gene tracking system, the virus content in the patient's body can be quickly grasped, and its accuracy is as high as nanometers. Usually divided into ordinary PCR laboratory, fully automated quantitative PCR laboratory, integrated automated analytical PCR laboratory.

What are the problems with PCR?

1. False negative, due to improper sampling, improper specimen storage, the use of different types of specimens, and the use of reagents from different manufacturers may cause the nucleic acid test results to be "false negative" and missed diagnosis;

2. High requirements for testing equipment or platforms, high-sensitivity PCR instruments are expensive, and require high laboratory cleanliness and operators;

3.PCR detection takes a long time. It usually takes 4-6 hours to complete an PCR test. However, considering the sample transportation and the backlog of a large number of samples, the results can usually be reported for 24 hours at least.

POCT (point-of-care testing) is a rapid testing technology that requires a short testing time and does not require a laboratory. It refers to clinical testing and bedside testing performed next to the patient, usually not necessarily performed by a clinical laboratory examiner. It is a new type of method for immediate analysis at the sampling site, eliminating the need for complicated processing procedures for specimens in laboratory testing, and quickly obtaining test results.

There have been many terms related to POCT in the world, such as bedside testing, near-patient testing, physicians' office testing, home use testing, extra -laboratory testing (inspection outside the laboratory) and decentralized testing (decentralized inspection), etc. With the continuous development of this field, these terms can no longer summarize the meaning of POCT.

Simply speaking, POCT is the product of decentralization of medical testing, disperse a part of the inspection capabilities from the central laboratory to the clinical, non-hospital environment, and home. Doctors can quickly get the results to make decisions, some items can realize patient self-testing.

In the world markets, the convenient and fast COVID-19 antibody and antigen POCT reagents are well used for large-scale preliminary screening and diversion, and laboratory nucleic acid testing is used for further diagnosis.

POCT also has the following major features:

1. Fast

The main purpose of POCT is to get experimental results faster. The advancement of diagnosis and assistive technology, the awareness of diseases, and the improvement of treatment levels are the main reasons why POCT is gradually attracting attention (financial pressure is a secondary factor). These advances have brought some diseases close to eradication, and enabled others to be diagnosed early and treated better.

2. Easy to use

Easy to operate and easy to use is another feature of POCT. POCT has become a part of the diagnostic system due to its ease of use; POCT has assumed the functions of a laboratory without the need for traditional hospital laboratory equipment. POCT can be done either in a doctor's office or in a moving car. POCT can serve patients 24 hours a day, regardless of time and location.

3. Save overall cost

The biggest problem facing experimenters is to control the cost of diagnosis. But the result is always a reduction in the cost of a single test, rather than a reduction in the overall cost of the patient's entire medical process. From the perspective of "single test cost", POCT is relatively high; but in many cases, the application of POCT can not only improve experimental results but also reduce resource occupation, patient hospitalization time, sampling time, and medical staff occupation time.

Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 epidemic in 2020, POCT has further demonstrated its advantages. It has been widely used in scenarios such as entry and exit, airports, railway stations, and primary medical units. The simplicity of operation saves medical resources and improves detection efficiency. Played an important role in epidemic prevention and control.

As an innovative medical device development service supplier, UDX BIO has also contributed its own strength to the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic. UDX BIO focuses on molecular diagnostics, POCT and other technologies. With years of good reputation and long-term customer support, it has attracted the attention and close communication of industry insiders. UDX BIO has accumulated many years of experience in IVD instrument research and development, and has unique solutions for instrument development. It fully considers the accuracy, stability and usability of the product, and successfully brings the world’s leading molecular diagnosis, immunodiagnosis and POCT technology into the area of commercialization. In the future, the UDX BIO team will continue to inject new blood into the IVD industry, committed to providing better quality POCT products, assisting clinical treatment, and allowing more patients to feel the benefits brought by point-of-care testing!